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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays homage at Rajghat, the memorial for Indian independence icon Mahatama Gandhi, on Martyr's Day in New Delhi, India, Jan. 30, 2018. (Xinhua/Partha Sarkar)

NEW DELHI, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- India Tuesday paid homage to pre-independence icon Mahatma Gandhi on his 70th death anniversary.

Gandhi, also called the Father of the Nation, was assassinated by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu Nationalist, on this day in 1948, also known as Martyr's Day.

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and main opposition Congress party's former chief Sonia Gandhi all paid tributes.

"The nation gratefully remembers Mahatma Gandhi and the countless freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for Independence," the Indian president tweeted.

Gandhi had led India to independence in 1947 from the colonial British rule by applying non-violent civil disobedience and inspiring movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.