'India will help the quake-affected in China'

{image-pranab mukherjee_07062008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Chengdu, China, Jun 7: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today assured China of every possible help in its time of difficulty, after Sichuan province was devastated in a powerful earthquake. Handing over the relief materials to the officials of Sichuan province, flown by an Indian Air Force IL-76, Mr Mukherjee said he had promised full help to the Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. He said India has already announced assistance of five million dollars and if required, was ready to provide more. Mr Huang Xiaoxiang, Vice Governor of Sichuan Province received the relief material and the related papers at the Chengdu Airport.

Tents weighing a total of 28 tonnes have been sent in the ninth assistance flight of the Indian Air Force. Mr Mukherjee said around 12,000 people will be sheltered in 200 tents. More than 270 tonnes of relief material have been sent through Indian planes to the Sichuan province. This is the biggest relief effort under Operation Help II. While receiving the relief material Mr Huang said, ''we are highly grateful for all the help and assurance provided.'' After handing over the relief material and completing a successful four-day-tour, Mr Mukherjee left for New Delhi.

UNI