Wen Jiabao lays wreath at Gandhi’s memorial in Delhi

NEW DELHI - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited the memorial of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, here on Thursday.

The Chinese Premier laid floral wreaths at Rajghat.

Wen signed the visitor’s book at Rajghat and was presented a statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

“I have high admiration for Mahatma Gandhi. I started to read his books when I was a young man and I learned about his story in early days of my life. He is a person who has a deep conviction in truth and justice and he made enormous contribution to India’s fight for national liberation,” said Jiabao.

“He was also a great man who is significant influence around the world. Let us all keep the image of this great man in our mind when he walked with bare feet dripping with blood from one village to another working for his just cause and no force would ever stop his steps,” he added.

After the Rajghat visit, Wen headed for talks with External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna.

Wen said that he had come here to expand bilateral strategic ties between China and India.

Wen, who was given a ceremonial welcome by President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, said: “I have come to India to expand cooperation, deepen friendship and strengthen people to people exchange.”

After his visit to New Delhi, Wen travels to Pakistan, for another two days. (ANI)