'Mahatma Gandhi an inspiration to mankind': PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday unveiled a bust of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, saying that the latter is an inspiration to mankind.

"Mahatma Gandhi was born in India in the last century but neither did he belong only to India or to one particular century but is a role model and belongs to the whole world. It is a moment of pride for the entire world that Mahatma Gandhi's statue is being unveiled in Hannover," the Prime Minister said.

"The world today is facing two problems. One is terrorism and the other is global warming. It's a moment of pride for not only Indians but all those who believe in humanity," he added.

Following this, the Prime Minister will be holding a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi singed the 'Golden Book', consisting of the signatures of all the honoured guests of Hamburg, at the Hannover city hall and thanked Germany for giving him a warm welcome.

He also attended a round table conference with German CEOs. Voith CEO Dr.Hubert Lienhard and CEO of Bombardier Transportation, Lutz Bertling, were among the few who held a meeting with the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Hannover, earlier on Sunday, the second leg of his three-nation, nine-day tour, after concluding a successful visit to France.

During his visit to Germany, Prime Minister Modi will be present at the opening ceremony of the 2015 edition of the Hannover Messe business fair, for which India is the partner country.