The Government of India has awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize to the recently-retired SDLP leader, Mr John Hume.
The government established the award in 1995, the 125th anniversary of Gandhi's birth, to honour those it believes espouse his ideals.
The award jury was chaired by India's Prime Minister, Mr Ashri Atal Vajpayee.
An Indian government statement said: "In honouring Mr John Hume the nation pays a tribute to an extraordinary man who by his fearlessness, selflessness and dedication to the cause of humanity upheld those ideals which were dearest to Mahatma Gandhi."