Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif calls Narendra Modi, appreciates India's rescue efforts in Nepal
New Delhi: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called up his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Thursday and expressed his condolences on loss of lives in India due to earthquake.
In a tweet, Modi said, “PM Nawaz Sharif appreciated India's efforts in the rescue operations in Nepal. I thank him for his kind words.”
The death toll in India from Saturday's earthquake has shot up to 72, even as New Delhi ramped up relief and rescue efforts in Nepal to provide succour to the nation devastated by the disaster. In India, 56 deaths were reported in Bihar, 12 in UP, three in West Bengal and one in Rajasthan.
In another tweet, Modi said, “I suggested to PM Sharif that SAARC nations should conduct regular joint exercises on disaster relief and rescue.”
SAARC Nations can come together & hold annual exercises of rescue teams, doctors etc on how we can minimise damage during natural disasters.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 30, 2015"PM Sharif appreciated this idea and told me that we should take up such an initiative," the PM said.
India was the first to respond to the Nepal crisis and it immediately sent relief material.
The death toll in the devastating earthquake that rocked Nepal has climbed to over 5,500 with more than 8,000 injured.
Modi and Sharif also discussed the unseasonal rains and its adverse impact on the crops.
