An Indian government representative presented her with some books about the life of Gandhi and a sculpture of him.

Suu Kyi has often been quoted as saying that, with the exception of her father, India’s independence leader Gandhi and the country’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, were her greatest role models.

Mohandas Gandhi (1869—1948), commonly known by the honorific title Mahatma, was a London-trained lawyer from Gujarat who led India’s independence movement. He was famed for his modest lifestyle, characterized by vegetarianism and frequent fasting, and for employing the tactic of non-violent civil disobedience against British colonial rule. His legacy has inspired non-violent movements and human rights activists ever since.

Suu Kyi on Tuesday night dined with Indian Congress Party leader Sonia Gandhi at her private residence. However, neither Sonia nor her husband, former premier Rajiv Gandhi, were related to Mohandas Gandhi.

Addressing reporters at the memorial site, Suu Kyi said that she does not have specific expectations from the trip to India, but was exploring ways for the two countries and peoples to cooperate.

Responding to a question from a Mizzima reporter, she said, “I always say that we have to work for it, and that ultimately we will get what we work for.”

Asked by Mizzima if she was excited to meet with so many members of the Burmese community in India, she replied that she was always glad to and wanted to meet Burmese wherever she went.

Later on Wednesday, Suu Kyi is scheduled to meet with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.