Dubai, Nov 05: The Iranian President Mohammed Khatami today lauded Mahatma Gandhi for evolving the philosophy of non-violent struggle in a turbulent world and described India as "inspiration and true model" of democracy. President Khatami told a visiting Indian parliamentary delegation led by Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi that India has been a source of inspiration for Iran as "a land of thought, wisdom and struggle for great causes."
Paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, Khatami said only an easterner could have thought of peaceful disobedience as a great weapon in a violent world.
"Even today India is an inspiration and model as a country which while remaining true to its traditions and culture has developed a vibrant democracy" he told the Indian delegation which included S S Palanimanickam, Khan Ghufran Zahid, Gordhanbhai J Javia and A P Golam Osmani.
"The fight against terrorism has to be carefully undertaken so that those who aim at hegemony do not use it for their ends", Khatami was quoted as saying by a release from the Indian Embassy in Tehran.
Bureau Report