Washington - A rare recording of Mahatma Gandhi speaking in English has surfaced in Washington DC, it was reported Tuesday.

The recording is unusual because Gandhi usually addressed audiences in two Indian languages ­ Hindi and Gujarati. It is also probably his last speech in English before he was assassinated a few months later.

His grandson and biographer, Rajmohan Gandhi, remembers only two instances when Gandhi was recorded speaking in English ­ about religious issues in the 1930s and then this speech, made before a group of Asian leaders in New Delhi on April 2, 1947, the Washington Post reported.

The speech was recorded by journalist Alfred Wagg, whose commentary is included with Gandhi's voice. The recording was preserved by John Cosgrove, a former president of the National Press Club in Washington DC. He told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa Wednesday that a copy has also been preserved in the National Archives.

Cosgrove realised its significance earlier this year after a meeting with Rajmohan, who happened to be at the Press Club to promote his new biography.

In the recording, Gandhi is introduced to thunderous applause by Sarojini Naidu, the first woman to become president of the Indian National Congress, as the father of our nation, the apostle of love and truth and non-violence."

Gandhi says, Madam president and friends I do not think that I should apologise to you for having to speak in a foreign tongue." His speech centred around wide-ranging themes of non-violence, the importance of democracy and the lessons the west can learn from the east.

A friend asked yesterday that did I believe in one world? Of course I believe in one world. How could I possibly do otherwise?"

He also said, Christianity became disfigured when it went to the West. I'm sorry to have to say that but that is my feeling ... the West today is pining for wisdom." (dpa)