New Delhi/Islamabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday offered Indian assistance to Pakistan for flood relief operations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, but Islamabad said its relief and rescue operations were proceeding effectively.
“It is a matter of great distress that the retreating monsoon rains have played havoc in many parts of our two countries,” Modi said in a letter to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif.
Noting “the devastation caused by the record rains and the consequent flooding is unprecedented”, he said that “while reviewing the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, I was informed that the damage to life and property is equally, if not more, severe in areas across the Line of Control as well”.
“My heart goes out to the affected people and my deepest sympathies are with them and their families. In this hour of need, I offer any assistance that you may need in the relief efforts that will be undertaken by the government of Pakistan. Our resources are at your disposal wherever you need them,” he said.
Expressing anguish at the flood damage and loss of lives in neighbouring areas in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, he said India was ready to provide humanitarian assistance to the flood-affected areas if Pakistan requires it. “In this hour of distress, the government of India is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to those areas if the Pakistan government needs it,” he said.
Official sources in Islamabad said that Nawaz Sharif yesterday undertook an aerial survey of flood-hit areas in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and appreciated the rescue and relief operations underway.
“Our Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had aerial survey of flood-hit areas today (yesterday). Our rescue and relief operations are proceeding effectively,” a Pakistan government source said. IANS
