New Delhi, Sep 10: His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V arrived in Delhi yesterday for his first official visit since becoming the 50th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims and Chair of the Aga Khan Development Network in February 2025, following the passing of his father His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.
Earlier today, His Highness met with the Honourable Prime Minister, and conveyed gratitude for the immense support for the activities of AKDN in India, highlighting their close alignment to India’s development priorities outlined in the vision for Viksit Bharat 2047.
His Highness also called on Her Excellency President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan and on His Excellency Vice-President Shri C P Radhakrishnan, who hosted a lunch in honour of His Highness.
The Aga Khan also held talks with His Excellency Shri Amit Shah, Union Home Minister and His Excellency Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister for External Affairs.
The meetings provided opportunities to discuss areas in which the Ismaili Imamat and India can continue to work together on creating opportunities and economic empowerment in India and in other parts of the world of mutual interest.
His Highness expressed his appreciation for the long-standing partnership with India:
“I am very happy to be back in India, a country with which the Ismaili Imamat has a long history. I am most grateful to the Prime Minister and other senior leaders of the country for our engaging and productive discussions. I look forward to our ongoing partnership to improve quality of life in India and around the world.”
During his six-day visit, His Highness will visit Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana where he will hold talks with the Governor and Chief Minister in each state, to discuss the work of AKDN and areas of future partnership. He will also meet members of the Ismaili community residing in India.
Institutions of the Ismaili Imamat have been present in India since the 19th century when community institutions were first created. Those early roots grew into major national institutions that today serve over 9 million people through programmes and institutions encompassing rural and urban development, culture, economic inclusion, health, habitat, early childhood development, education and climate resilience.