Moscow: Russain President Vladimir Putin made tribute to the South African apartheid icon Nelson Mandela yesterday. He said that Mandela can be considered as the leader of 20, 21 centuries.

He pointed out the strong relationships of Mandela with India. According to him Mandela is very much similar to Gandhiji in so many ways. He said that the departed leader is the great idealist of 21^st century and his teachings are to be followed by others. Putin made this tribute from the South African Embassy in Moscow. He conveyed his condolence with the South African Ambassador Mandeesee Empalwa.