On his first visit to India in 1952 at the invitation of Prime Minister Pandit Nehru, he met Ravi Shankar and developed a deep admiration for both Shankar and Indian music. Subsequently, they gave many concerts together and made numerous recordings. The proceeds of all the concerts given on his tours of India were donated to charity. In 1960 he was awarded the Nehru Peace Prize for International Understanding, and in 1992 he was honoured with the title of Ambassador of Goodwill to UNESCO.