He was honored with India's prestigious honor Bharat Ratna (India conferred him with this award in the year 1990 when he was released from prison). He was the Second non-citizen and non-Indian recipient of this award. First non-Indian recipient was independence activist Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Pakisthan)
in the year 1987. Mr Mandela shared a close link with India through
Mahatma Gandhi who he called his political guru. "The Indians influenced
our struggle here and especially a man like Mahatma Gandhi. So we
respect them, honor them," many times he had said. Mandela drove close
relations with India and the two countries forged bonds over groupings
like IBSA and BRICS. "Our nation has lost its greatest son," South
Africa's president Jacob Zuma said while announcing the news on South
African national TV. Nelson Mandela is referred to as the Gandhi of South Africa.