World leaders walk barefoot, with slippers for Gandhi tribute

A sudden downpour in New Delhi Sunday forced world leaders to walk barefoot in paying tribute to India independence hero Mahatma Gandhi on the sideline of the G20 summit hosted by the South Asian country.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi in shedding their socks and shoes on the walk to the marble plinth of the Raj Ghat memorial complex where the apostle of non-violence was cremated in January 1948, the day after he was gunned down by a Hindu nationalist.

United States President Joe Biden was among several visiting heads of state to opt for felt slippers instead of going unshod at the site, where normal footwear is forbidden as a mark of respect.

After a rendition of a Hindu devotional hymn, they stood for a moment's silence before leaving wreaths to honor the peace icon.

Later, the summit concluded with Modi passing on a ceremonial gavel to Brazil, which will take the bloc's presidency.

"I want to congratulate Brazil's president and my friend Lula da Silva, and hand over the presidency's gavel to him," Modi said.

WITH AFP