Finding India Abroad: Discovering Indian Icons In Landmarks Across The Globe

In November 2025, a bust of Dr BR Ambedkar was unveiled at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, commemorating the 75th anniversary of India’s Constitution. Visitors strolling through the Garden of Peace can now see Ambedkar honoured alongside global icons such as Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Martin Luther King Jr. But the world holds many such surprises: from Rabindranath Tagore in Moscow’s Friendship Park to Mahatma Gandhi in London’s Parliament Square and Jawaharlal Nehru in Singapore, Indian figures have left their mark in unexpected corners, offering travellers a chance to explore India’s rich heritage far beyond its borders.

BR Ambedkar, Paris

A bust of Dr BR Ambedkar was unveiled at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on November 26, 2025, marking the 75th anniversary of India’s Constitution. The ceremony served as a global tribute to Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution, celebrating his enduring legacy of justice, equality, and human dignity.

Coinciding with Constitution Day in India — the very date in 1949 when the nation formally adopted its Constitution — the installation positions Ambedkar alongside other global icons in UNESCO’s Garden of Peace. Here, figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Martin Luther King Jr. are also honoured, recognising their contributions to humanity and universal values of freedom and equality. The Paris installation not only celebrates Ambedkar’s historic role in shaping modern India but also symbolises the reach of his ideals on the global stage, highlighting the universal resonance of his advocacy for human rights and social justice.

Rabindranath Tagore, Moscow

Tucked away in Druzhby (Friendship) Park in northern Moscow stands a bronze statue of Rabindranath Tagore, the Indian poet, philosopher, and the first non-European Nobel laureate in Literature. Sculpted by Gautam Pal and installed in 1991, the monument honours Tagore’s lasting cultural and historical impact. It also commemorates his 1930 visit to the USSR, a journey that left a profound mark on both him and the Russian people. His reflections and writings from that trip helped strengthen the cultural ties between India and Russia, and the statue remains a symbol of this enduring friendship.

Tagore’s legacy can be glimpsed in other unexpected corners of the world too, including a statue in Paris’s Jardin Joan Miró, located in the 13th arrondissement on Rue Tagore, celebrating his global influence.

Mahatma Gandhi, London

In the heart of London’s Parliament Square stands a striking nine-foot bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi, unveiled in 2015. Sculpted by Philip Jackson, the monument holds the distinction of being the first statue of an Indian person in the square, and notably, the first to honour someone who never held public office in Britain.

The statue is based on a 1931 photograph of Gandhi outside the British Prime Minister’s office, capturing him in a shawl that symbolises his enduring connection to the Indian people. Positioned among the statues of global leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill, Gandhi’s figure is a quiet yet powerful reminder of his philosophy of non-violence, civil disobedience, and universal justice.

Thiruvalluvar, Philippines

A statue of the ancient Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar was unveiled in Cebu, Philippines, in February 2025, commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines. The monument, located at the Gullas College of Medicine, honours the celebrated author of the Tirukkural, one of the most revered works of Tamil literature, known for its timeless teachings on virtue, wealth, and love. It symbolises a cultural bridge between the two nations and highlighting the enduring influence of Indian literary and philosophical traditions abroad. By installing the statue in an educational institution, the tribute emphasises the value of learning, moral reflection, and cultural exchange, offering students and visitors alike a tangible connection to India’s rich literary heritage.

Jawaharlal Nehru, Singapore

Along the Singapore River, outside the Asian Civilisations Museum, a bronze bust of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, stands as a lasting tribute to his global influence. Unveiled in November 2011, the sculpture forms part of the National Heritage Board’s Friends to Our Shores series, which honours eminent foreign personalities who have made notable contributions to Singapore or share a historic connection with the city-state. The bust celebrates Nehru’s role in shaping modern India while also acknowledging his symbolic significance in Singapore’s diplomatic and cultural narrative. Permanently displayed in a prominent public space, the monument allows visitors to engage with Nehru’s legacy and reflects Singapore’s commitment to recognising international figures who have influenced its own historical and cultural journey.

Annabhau Sathe, Moscow

In September 2022, a bust of Marathi writer and social reformer Annabhau Sathe was unveiled on the Moscow Library campus. The ceremony, which coincided with the re-launch of his books in Russian, aimed to strengthen cultural ties between India and Russia while recognising Sathe as the "Father of Dalit Literature." The unveiling, held on September 14, 2022, underscored Sathe’s international recognition, particularly in Russia, where his works had already cultivated a following. The installation celebrated his enduring contributions as a pioneering figure in Dalit literature and as a champion of social reform.

FAQs

What is the Ambedkar bust at UNESCO in Paris?
It is a bronze bust of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar unveiled in November 2025 at UNESCO’s Garden of Peace to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India’s Constitution.

Where can I see Rabindranath Tagore’s statue abroad?
There are several places. A notable bronze statue of Tagore stands in Druzhby (Friendship) Park in Moscow. There’s also another in Paris at Jardin Joan Miró, in the 13th arrondissement on Rue Tagore.

Are there statues of Mahatma Gandhi outside India?
Yes, one of the most famous is in London’s Parliament Square. Other Gandhi statues exist in South Africa, Washington DC, and many other countries worldwide.

Is there a monument to Jawaharlal Nehru abroad?
Yes, there are several, For instance, a bronze bust of Nehru is permanently displayed outside the Asian Civilisations Museum along the Singapore River, unveiled in 2011.