PM writes to Japan, offers help
No Indian national was reported to have perished in the earthquake-triggered tsunami in Japan, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) has said. The approximately 25,000-strong Indian community in Japan is concentrated in the Kanto and Kansai regions.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrote to his Japanese counterpart today offering India’s help in helping it deal with the aftermath of the devastating temblor and tsunami that struck it on Friday.
The Indian government also sought to reassure its own citizens that as far as India is concerned, it faces no tasunami threat. Clearly, memories of the devastating tsunami that had struck the eastern coast of India as well as the Andaman and Nicobar islands in 2004, killing thousands and rendering hundreds homeless are still fresh in the minds of many.
The Union home ministry issued a statement stating that a tsunami threat does not exist as far as India is concerned. The statement further said that the INCOIS, Hyderabad, which is continuously monitoring the situation, has said that there is no tsunami threat.
As for the safety of Indian citizens in Japan, an MEA spokesperson said, “Our embassy in Tokyo and consulate in Osaka are in touch with community members and verifying the situation on the ground.” Dr Singh in his missive to Japanese PM Naoto Kan said, “ India stands in solidarity with the people of Japan and is ready to help in any way required and our resources are at your disposal.”
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