Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s deep reverence for Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings transcends the borders of India, shaping his diplomatic engagements worldwide. His commitment to preserving Gandhi ji’s legacy has been evident through numerous tributes to the Mahatma in various countries, ensuring that his message of peace and non-violence remains relevant on the global stage.
During his visit to Guyana, PM Modi will pay tribute to a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, marking the 21st occasion he has honored the Mahatma abroad. This gesture highlights PM Modi’s dedication to promoting Gandhi ji’s ideals globally.
A particularly significant moment occurred on August 23, 2024, when PM Modi visited Kyiv, Ukraine, and paid tribute to Gandhi ji’s statue, sending a powerful message of peace amid conflict. Another poignant tribute took place on June 21, 2023, during International Yoga Day at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where PM Modi linked Gandhi ji’s legacy to India’s global peace initiatives.
In May 2023, during his visit to Hiroshima, Japan, a city forever marked by the pursuit of peace, PM Modi unveiled a bust of Gandhi ji. This act underscored the importance of peace in the face of historical tragedy. Prior to this, in October 2021, he paid floral tributes at Gandhi ji’s statue in Rome, reinforcing his message of unity and harmony.
PM Modi’s efforts to spread Gandhi ji’s ideals have been consistent and far-reaching. In 2019, he joined His Highness Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi to release a commemorative stamp celebrating Gandhi ji’s message of peace. That same year, in Seoul, South Korea, he unveiled a bust of Gandhi ji, further cementing India’s strong ties with the world.
To mark Gandhi ji’s 150th birth anniversary in 2019, PM Modi hosted a high-level event at the 74th UN General Assembly, where he inaugurated the Gandhi Solar Park at the UN Headquarters and the Gandhi Peace Garden at the State University of New York College at Old Westbury. He also unveiled a special commemorative edition of Gandhi@150 postage stamps issued by the UN Postal Administration.
In 2018, PM Modi unveiled a plaque at Clifford Pier in Singapore, marking the immersion site of Gandhi ji’s ashes. Earlier, in 2017, he paid tribute to Gandhi ji’s statue in Lisbon, Portugal, continuing his efforts to honor the Mahatma across continents.
PM Modi’s dedication to spreading Gandhi ji’s message also took him to Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2016, where he inaugurated an exhibition on Gandhi ji and visited the Phoenix Settlement in Durban, a place central to Gandhi ji’s philosophy. In Nairobi, Kenya, he paid tribute at the University of Nairobi in 2016, reinforcing a shared vision of equality.
Other key moments in this global journey include unveiling a statue in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in 2015, and addressing the Centre for Gandhian and Indian Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, China, in May 2015. PM Modi also honored Gandhi ji at various locations, including outside the UK Parliament in 2015, in Hannover, Germany, and in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, in July 2015. Additionally, he paid respects to Gandhi ji’s statue in Mauritius in March 2015, at Roma Street Parklands in Brisbane, Australia, in November 2014, and in Washington, D.C., in September 2014.
Through these global tributes, PM Modi continues to honor and promote Mahatma Gandhi’s timeless message of peace, non-violence, and unity, ensuring that his legacy remains a guiding force for the world.