By IANS,

New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday wrote to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao expressing India's grief with the “brethren of China” over the massive quake that has killed at least 10,000 people and offered assistance in overcoming the calamity.

“The prime minister has expressed deep sorrow at the loss of lives and property caused by the earthquake in China that struck Sichuan province yesterday,” Sanjaya Baru, the prime minister's media adviser, said here in a statement.

In a letter to Wen, Manmohan Singh said "the people of India share in the grief of their brethren in China" and expressed confidence that "the resilient people of China will overcome this grievous loss", the statement said.

The prime minister said India stands ready to offer any assistance that may be needed at this difficult time, it said.

At least 10,000 people have died in the strongest quake to hit China in more than three decades that jolted the southwestern province of Sichuan Monday.

The Chinese premier, who flew to Sichuan on Monday evening, urged the public to have "composure, confidence and courage" in the face of the catastrophe.