SM Krishna calls up SM Qureshi; offers $5 million aid for Pak floods

After writing to his Pakistani counterpart last week condoling deaths in the floods, external affairs minister SM Krishna today called up SM Qureshi and offered aid of $5 million in "this hour of need".

Krishna telephoned Qureshi and expressed solidarity with the people of Pakistan in handling the devastation caused by the floods -- the worst in more than eight decades, claiming over 1,700 lives and affecting 14 million people.

"Government of India has offered assistance of $5 million (approx Rs23 crore) for provision of relief material from India for the victims of the massive floods that have adversely affected Pakistan, causing widespread damage to life and property," a release by the ministry said.

"In a telephone conversation, Krishna conveyed to Qureshi, this gesture of solidarity with the people of Pakistan, in their hour of need," it said.

The external affairs minister, on behalf of the people and government of India, also conveyed deepest sympathies and condolences to the people and government of Pakistan, on this natural disaster, it said.

Last week, Krishna had written to his Pakistani counterpart and conveyed sincere condolences and had said that he was distressed by the devastation caused by the natural calamity.