Bilawal Bhutto Rebuked at UN Over Indian Muslim Remarks, Faces Blowback

UN journalist challenges former Pakistan Foreign Minister’s claims, citing Indian Muslim officers’ leadership in Operation Sindoor briefings

Raj Chaubey 2 weeks agoLast Updated: June 9, 2025

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NEW YORK, June 4 — What was expected to be a routine United Nations press appearance by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari turned awkward on Tuesday after the former Pakistani Foreign Minister was fact-checked mid-briefing. The confrontation came after Bhutto accused India of exploiting the recent Pahalgam terror attack to “demonize” its Muslim population — a statement that drew immediate challenge from an attending journalist.

Bhutto, who currently heads the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and is part of Islamabad’s diplomatic delegation to the U.S., repeated familiar Pakistani positions on Kashmir while commenting on the fallout from the April 22 massacre. According to him, the attack — which left over two dozen civilians dead — was being politicised by New Delhi to stigmatise Indian Muslims.

But the narrative hit a roadblock. Without naming him, a journalist directly responded to Bhutto’s claim, citing firsthand knowledge from recent Indian Army briefings related to Operation Sindoor.

“You said that the recent terrorist attack in Kashmir is being used as a political tool to demonise Muslims in India,” the journalist said. “But, sir, I have seen the briefings myself — and they were conducted by Indian military officers who are Muslim.”

There was a visible pause. Bhutto didn’t push back. He simply nodded and said, “As far as the operations are concerned, you’re absolutely right.”

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and the Undercut Narrative

The journalist was referring to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a decorated officer in the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals, who recently led multiple televised briefings on India’s response to the Pahalgam attack. She wasn’t alone. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force also appeared in official communications during the operation.

Their presence in leadership roles — and especially Colonel Qureshi’s as a Muslim officer — stood in sharp contrast to Bhutto’s framing of India as a country systematically vilifying its Muslim citizens.

Operation Sindoor: The Flashpoint Behind the Tensions

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror launch pads across Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The response came less than two weeks after the massacre in Pahalgam, which New Delhi has blamed on groups backed by Pakistan.

The strikes were precise and sustained. Over a span of four days, Indian forces hit nine identified terrorist infrastructures. Drone footage, satellite imaging, and artillery engagement were all reportedly used. By May 10, both countries agreed — behind closed doors — to de-escalate.

According to Indian officials, the operation forced Islamabad into a corner diplomatically. Several Pakistani posts, according to reports from defence analysts, sustained considerable damage.

But it wasn’t just the military strategy that drew notice. The face of India’s response — at least in public communications — was one that contradicted Bhutto’s statement at the UN. It was Muslim officers, not sidelined or vilified, who fronted India’s defence narrative.

Diplomatic Efforts Mirror Each Other

While India deployed an all-party delegation to brief counterparts across Europe and North America — including leaders like Shashi Tharoor and Asaduddin Owaisi — Islamabad followed suit. Bhutto’s visit is part of that counter-effort. He is joined by Pakistani lawmakers and advisors tasked with presenting their version of regional events, particularly to the United Nations and American policymakers.

But the UN exchange has already complicated that goal. Bhutto’s inability — or unwillingness — to respond with facts when challenged undercuts Islamabad’s credibility in the eyes of several international observers.

No official rebuttal has been issued by Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the UN, nor has the Foreign Office in Islamabad commented on the exchange. Silence, in this case, appears to be the only response.

In India, Quiet Vindication

Though New Delhi hasn’t issued a formal reaction to the incident, senior officials in the Ministry of External Affairs privately noted that facts had prevailed. One official, speaking on background, remarked that “India doesn’t need to defend itself against tired allegations. The record, and those who represent us, do the talking.”

Clips of the exchange at the UN are already circulating widely on Indian social media platforms. Defence experts and veteran journalists have highlighted the moment as symbolic of a broader pattern: allegations made without evidence increasingly falling flat on international stages.

A Diplomatic Misfire?

Analysts say Bhutto’s misstep may not be easily forgotten. At a time when Islamabad is trying to secure international attention on Kashmir and restore traction on stalled negotiations, gaffes like these could have a ripple effect. Public perception plays a role — not just in domestic politics, but in how foreign ministries assess credibility.

In forums like the UN, narrative discipline is key. Statements must be substantiated, especially when they touch on communal sensitivities in neighbouring countries. The line between advocacy and misinformation is thin. Bhutto appears to have crossed it, even if unintentionally.

For now, India’s representation of its Muslim officers in critical national roles remains a pointed answer to sweeping allegations. As for Bhutto, the moment serves as a reminder that at global platforms, rhetoric has limits — and the facts, sometimes, answer louder than speeches.

Source: India Today | Stay updated with the latest from Hindustan Herald, your trusted source for Politics, Business, Sports, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Breaking News, and More.

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Author Profile

Raj Chaubey

Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald

Raj Chaubey is a Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald, specializing in political and geopolitical news. As a student at Delhi University, Raj combines academic rigor with a commitment to investigative journalism, aiming to uncover the broader implications of current events. His daily articles strive to offer our audience a deeper understanding of complex political landscapes and their global connections.