President pays floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in Chile

President Ram Nath Kovind paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue at Plaza de la India in Chilean capital Santiago to commemorate his 150th birth anniversary and announced an assistance of USD 53,000 for the beautification of the area.

Earlier, the president, who arrived here on Sunday after visiting Bolivia and Croatia, addressed the Indian community and said it has integrated well into the Chilean society and established a good reputation for itself and for India.

"I congratulate you, therefore, on being successful envoys for India and for imbibing the spirit of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - that is- the world is one family- to the core," Kovind said.

Inviting Indian diaspora to be a partner in the India growth story, he said, "We tremendously value your involvement in initiatives organised by our Government through our embassies. Such interaction defines the partnership between all of you and all of us back home, a partnership that not only is of mutual benefit, but is also a crucial building block on our route to the future."