India willing to provide more assistance to flood-hit Pak

Pakistan's decision to accept the aid came nearly a week after the offer was made by External Affairs Minister S M Krishna to his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi last Friday.

"We welcome the decision of Pakistan to accept the aid offer," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash told reporters, describing the offer as goodwill gesture made to express solidarity with the people of Pakistan, who have been hit by the worst floods in 80 years.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had called up Pakistani premier Yousuf Raza Gilani yesterday and said India was willing to provide more assistance in handling flood relief, Prakash said.

Qureshi, who is in New York to attend a special meeting of the United Nations on flood situation in his country, had said that Pakistan accepted India's offer of USD five million in aid for flood relief.

"I can share with you that the Government of Pakistan has agreed to accept the Indian offer (of USD 5 million aid)," Qureshi had said.

Qureshi thanked Singh, his government and Krishna for this "very positive" gesture of extending aid and said it was highly appreciated by Pakistan.