NEW DELHI -- India's Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Wednesday while expressing his grief and sympathy for the victims of the recent devastating earthquake in Iran said that India stood ready to offer whatever relief assistance was required by Tehran in handling this crisis, IRNA reported.

In a condolence message to Iranian President Khatami, Vajpayee said he was deeply distressed to learn of the earthquake, reported Press Trust of India (PTI). Vajpayee said, "The loss of life and property caused by this natural disaster is a matter of profound grief." Indian premier said, "Our sympathies are with the families of the victims and with the Iranian nation in this hour of tragedy." He assured the Iranian president, "India stands ready to offer whatever relief assistance is required in handling the crisis.