New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) Prime Minster Manmohan Singh spoke to his Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan and reiterated India's offer of any assistance to the tsunami and quake hit country.

"He reiterated that the people and the government of India stood solidly with the friendly people of Japan in their hour of grief. He also offered to make available any additional assistance that Japan may require," the external affairs ministry said in a statement Thursday. The conversation took place Wednesday.

Singh expressed "deepest condolence" on deaths in the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan's Pacific coast March 11, killing over 9,000 people and damaging property worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

The press release said the prime minister expressed confidence that Japan would emerge from the calamity as an even stronger nation.

Earlier, Manmohan Singh had written a letter of condolence and also visited the Japanese embassy in New Delhi.

During the conversation, the Japanese leader expressed "deep appreciation for India's solidarity and support".

"He (Kan) was touched by prime minister's gesture of visiting the Japanese embassy to sign the condolence book. He thanked PM for the assistance that India had provided," the statement said.

India has sent a planeload of blankets for survivors, as requested by the Japanese authorities.