Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow at the loss of lives in the powerful earthquake in China and offered India's assistance to that country to meet the situation.

"India stands ready to offer any assistance that may be needed at this difficult time," Dr Singh said in a letter to his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao.

Noting that people of India share the grief of their brethern in China, Dr Singh expressed confidence that the resilient people of China would overcome this grievous loss.

Reports said the death toll from the earthquake that struck Sichuan province on Monday in China reached over 11,000 on Tuesday.