Pakistan offers assistance to earthquake-hit India

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif spoke to his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, on Thursday, and offered assistance to the earthquake-hit people in India, officials said.

Indian officials say that over 50 people were killed in the Indian states of Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh in earthquake this week. Hundreds more were injured and missing.

"Prime Minister Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif called his Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, today, to offer condolences and sympathies over the loss of precious lives and devastation caused by the earthquake that hit India on 25 April 2015," the Foreign Ministry said.

"While sympathizing with the government as well as the bereaved families of the victims, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan and its people express support and solidarity with the government and the people of India and are ready to extend every possible assistance that may be needed," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

The Prime Minister reiterated what he had said during last year 's floods on both sides of the Line of Control, which divides the two countries in the disputed Kashmir region, that natural disasters of this nature highlight the importance of a joint regional approach for their effective management.

Indian Prime Minister Modi said he suggested to Prime Minister Sharif that SAARC (South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation) nations should conduct regular joint exercises on disaster relief and rescue.

He said on his official Twitter that the Pakistani PM Sharif appreciated this idea and told him that "we should take up such an initiative."

"SAARC nations can hold annual exercises of rescue teams, doctors etc. on how we can minimize damage during natural disasters," Modi said.

He said Sharif and he also discussed the unseasonal rains and its adverse impact on the crops. Endi