Thursday, September 1 2005 10:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: India has conveyed its deep sympathies to the United States (US) over the loss of lives and enormous damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh, yesterday (August 31, 2005) sent separate messages to US President George W Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice respectively, to express sympathies for the tragedy in New Orleans and other parts of the US.

In his message to Bush, Singh said, "At this difficult time I would like to convey India's sympathy at the loss of life and the hardship that so many families are undergoing. Our prayers are with them."

"From our own experience of dealing with natural disasters of such magnitude, such as the Tsunami last year, we know that immediate relief and rehabilitation activity poses formidable challenges," the Prime Minister said.

He said he was confident that under Bush's leadership, the American people would respond with empathy for those in distress.

Expressing shock at the enormous damage caused by the hurricane, Natwar told Rice that India was with America during these trying times.

"I know that the American people will respond to this challenge. We are with you during these trying times," he said in his message to Rice.