PM pledges $5 million support for quake-hit Chile

Prime minister Manmohan Singh today condoled the loss of lives in the earthquake in Chile and pledged $5 million support for relief and rehabilitation work there.

"On behalf of the government and people of India, I would like to express deep sympathy and condolences to the people of Chile on the great tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families," the prime minister said in a letter to Chilean president Michelle Bachelet.

"As a token of our solidarity with the people of Chile, we would like to make a modest cash contribution of USD five million for relief and rehabilitation work following the earthquake," he said.

Chile was hit by a a massive earthquake on February 27 that left over 700 people dead.