Photos: G20 leaders walk barefoot at Rajghat, pay respect to Mahatma Gandhi

World leaders walked barefoot through puddles Sunday to pay their respects to revered Indian independence hero Mahatma Gandhi.

Modi welcomed his guests to the site where the apostle of non-violence was cremated in January 1948.

US 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.

Others including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron joined Modi in shedding their socks and shoes on the walk to the marble plinth where an eternal flame commemorates Gandhi's memory.

A moment's silence was held, then traditional Indian music struck up as the G-20 heads made their way out, past a backdrop of Gandhi's ashram that was a center of the Indian struggle for freedom.

Arriving leaders bowed before Modi as he hung shawls around their necks in front of a photograph of Sabarmati Ashram, a long-term residence of Gandhi's in the prime minister's home state of Gujarat. Here are a few moments captured in recent G-20 summit:

US President Joe biden, center left, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and other G20 leaders arrive to pay their respects at the Rajghat, a Mahatma Gandhi memorial, in New Delhi, India, Sunday on Sept. 10, 2023.

US President Joe Biden (L) and Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (C,R) speak as they arrive to pay respect at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial at Raj Ghat.

France's President Emmanuel Macron (C) is greeted by Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez as Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) and Indonesia's President Joko Widodo (R) watch after paying respect at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial at Raj Ghat.

(L-R) India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, US President Joe Biden and Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speak as they arrive to pay respect at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial at Raj Ghat.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden, G20 leaders and heads of international organizations lay wreath at Raj Ghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi, in New Delhi