Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has offered to help Pakistan with rescue and relief operations in the wake of Saturday's earthquake, which also devastated parts of Indian occupied Kashmir.
"While parts of India have also suffered from this unexpected natural disaster, we are prepared to extend any assistance with rescue and relief which you may deem appropriate," Singh said in a message to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.
Singh expressed his condolences to the families of those killed in Pakistan. Pakistani and Indian officials confirmed more than 1,000 deaths, but Pakistani military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan told AFP the toll would rise dramatically.
Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh also wrote to his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid Kasuri to convey his sympathies, a government statement said.
"Please do not hesitate to indicate to us in whatever way we can be of some assistance both for rescue and relief in the affected areas," he said.
India had sent relief and rescue teams to neighbouring Sri Lanka following the December 26 tsunami which killed hundreds of thousands across the region, including parts of India.
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