New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS): India has expressed grief over the massacre of 20 children and seven adults in an American school, saying the horrific violence "leaves the whole world diminished".

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid sent condolences to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"I was deeply saddened to learn the terrible news... The killing of children is a particularly abhorrent act, one which leaves the whole world diminished," Khurshid said.

Offering sympathy to families of the victims in Connecticut, he said: "Please accept my personal sympathy and solidarity, and that of the people of India for the friendly people of the US.

"As you and the American people try to come to terms with this act of complete senselessness, and to address the trauma caused by it, I want you to know that the government and people of India share your grief and prayers for consolation," he added.

A gunman Friday opened fire at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. He too was killed. It is the second worst massacre of its kind in the US after the Virginia Tech Massacre of 2007 that left 33 dead.