The senior diplomat is on a three-day visit to Gujarat, after Germany and other European Union states ended their boycott of Chief Minister Narendra Modi by hosting a lunch for him in New Delhi when he won the elections last year in December.
"Mahatma Gandhi's unparalleled struggle for non-violence, religious tolerance, and inclusiveness is and will remain an inspiration for us all," Steiner said after his visit.
He spent more than hour-and-a-half at the ashram and interacted with people to find about the activities carried out there.
Located on the banks of river Sabarmati, it was from this base that Gandhi in 1930 launched his Dandi March or Salt Satyagraha.