Putin offers help to India over tsunami disaster

The Russian President called up the Prime Minister to express condolences over loss of life in the unprecedented natural disaster.

Expressing solidarity with India independently carrying out tsunami relief operations, the Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday offered Prime Minister Manmohan Singh any necessary help New Delhi may need.

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Putin called up Singh to express "heartfelt and deep condolences in connection with numerous loss of life in unprecedented natural disaster in the region', the Kremlin press service said.

During his telephonic conversation Putin also expressed solidarity with India which is unfolding massive relief efforts in the wake of natural disaster, and expressed Russia's readiness to render any assistance which may be required.

"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed gratitude for the expression of solidarity by Russia and underscored that it was fully in accordance with historically friendly character of Russian-Indian relations," the Kremlin said.