Amid the ongoing military tensions between India and Pakistan, a senior official from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday that we should stay hopeful that the situation doesn’t get worse. Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA, made this remark while answering a question at an event about how conflicts affect the economy and the kind of strength needed to deal with such situations, especially considering the current conflict. Before speaking with the audience, Ravi had addressed the gathering organised by the Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI), which took place against the backdrop of the India-Pakistan military tension.

"Pakistan's reputation as the epicentre of global terrorism is rooted in a number of instances... I don't need to remind, where Osama Bin Laden was found and who called him a martyr...Pakistan is also home to a large number of UN proscribed terrorists and also to terrorists proscribed by many countries...You must have seen in the last few days, their Defence minister and former foreign minister accepted their country's involvement with such terror groups," Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Thursday. The Centre said on Friday that during the night of May 8–9, the Pakistan Army repeatedly entered Indian airspace and tried to cross the international border using 300–400 drones.

After Pakistan carried out attacks in several parts of India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the likely reason behind these widespread aerial intrusions was to check how strong India's air defence systems are and to gather intelligence. The wreckage of the drones is currently being examined as part of a forensic investigation. According to initial reports, the drones appear to be Turkish Asisguard Songar models, said the MEA. "...Pakistan did not close its civil airspace despite it launching a failed unprovoked drone and missile attack on 7 May at 08:30 hours in the evening. Pakistan is using a civil airliner as a shield, knowing fully well that its attack on India would elicit a swift air defence response...Indian Air Force demonstrated considerable restraint in its response, thus ensuring the safety of international civil carriers," said Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that the Pakistani side has attacked places of worship that have a specific design, calling it a new low, even for Pakistan. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that the Indian armed forces gave a proper and balanced response to Pakistan’s attempts to attack Indian installations last night. "... In view of the existing security scenario, the services of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor have been suspended till further directions...," MEA said.

"During heavy shelling across the LOC in the early morning of 7 May, a shell fired from Pakistan landed just behind the Christ School in Poonch. The shell hit the home of two students of the school, who unfortunately lost their lives and their parents sustained injuries... Several school staff and locals took refuge in an underground hall of the school during the shelling by Pakistan. The school was fortunately closed, otherwise, more losses would have occurred," MEA said.

“The Minister (Dr S Jaishankar) had a conversation with the US Secretary of State. The focus of discussions was the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and the response that India mounted after that on the 7th of May. The Secretary of State shared his thoughts on these developments with the Minister. The Minister deeply appreciated the US' commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism and he also underlined the targeted measures that India had taken in connection with Operation Sindoor".

"The Minister also underlined that India would firmly counter any attempts at escalation from there (Pakistan). The Minister had a conversation with the UK Foreign Secretary today there too, the discussion centred around countering terrorism, for which there must be zero tolerance.  I understand, just a short while ago. The External Affairs Minister has also spoken to the Foreign Minister of Norway", MEA