bWASHINGTON/NEW DELHI - “The America of today has its roots in the India of Mahatma Gandhi,” US President Barack Obama said Friday while expressing appreciation for the life and lessons of the global peace icon on his 140th birth anniversary.

This is an important moment to reflect on his message of non-violence, which continues to inspire people and political movements across the globe, Obama said in a statement released by the White House.

We join the people of India in celebrating this great soul who lived a life dedicated to the cause of advancing justice, showing tolerance to all, and creating change through non-violent resistance.

Obama mentioned that Americans owed an enormous measure of gratitude to Gandhi, whose teachings and ideals, shared with Martin Luther King Jr., transformed American society through the civil rights movement.

The America of today has its roots in the India of Mahatma Gandhi and the non-violent social action movement for Indian independence which he led.

As we remember the Mahatma on his birthday, we must renew our commitment to live his ideals and to celebrate the dignity of all human beings.

In a separate message, US ambassador Timothy J. Roemer, who joined the interfaith prayer meeting and memorial ceremony at Gandhi’s memorial in New Delhi, said Americans owed a great intellectual debt to the life and teachings of Gandhi.

The roots of the American civil rights movement can be traced directly to Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals and the non-violent social action movement for Indian independence which he led, he said.

Roemer also pointed out that in many ways, President Obama’s life was directly influenced in a very positive way by Gandhi’s principles and teachings.

This connection was clearly illustrated in the president’s former Senate office, where on my first visit there, I was struck immediately by the picture of Mahatma Gandhi above the desk.