New Delhi: India is ready to assist Iran in meeting the massive devastation caused by the earthquake and help in rehabilitation and reconstruction, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani said today (Dec 27, 2003).

Expressing shock and sadness at the death of thousands of people, he said, "Whenever Iran wants assistance, India will be ready to provide it."

He said Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi spoke to him on telephone this morning and offered that the expertise and experience of the State in rehabilitating the quake victims could be used to provide relief to the people of Iran.

Advani said the External Affairs Ministry would be coordinating relief efforts in this regard.

Over 20,000 people have been killed in the massive earthquake, which devastated Iran's historic Southeastern fort city of Bam and its surrounding district yesterday.