Chinese President Xi Jinping, who kicked off his India visit today from Gujarat, visited the Sabarmati ashram of Mahatma Gandhi here where Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted him a copy of the Gita written in Chinese language.

Xi was received by Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel on the gates of tranquil Sabarmati Ashram, located in the Sabarmati suburb adjoining the Ashram Road, on the banks of river Sabarmati. Modi and Patel offered cotton garlands to Xi and accompanied him to different rooms in the ashram which was home of the Mahatma for about 12 years and his wife Kasturba Gandhi.

Later, Xi paid homage to an idol of Gandhi there. Modi also explained Gandhi's writings in Hindi and English, to the Chinese President on the occasion.

According to the trustees of Sabarmati Ashram, Xi wrote in Chinese in the visitors' book. Xi also visited Gandhi's personal room 'Hridayakunj' and offered a cotton garland to Gandhi's picture. Modi also presented mementos, including books and a painting on Gandhi, to Xi on the occasion. "The Sabarmati Ashram Trust presented a replica of the charkha, originally used by Gandhi during his stay in Yervada jail near Pune, to the Chinese President. Xi was also given a copy of the original certificate, given to Gandhi by the people of Chinese origin in South Africa in 1915," said trustee of the Ashram Kartikeya Sarabhai.