External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Chair of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), in New Delhi on Thursday.
During the meeting, Jaishankar and Prince Rahim discussed the Aga Khan Development Network's work in social development and heritage preservation, along with opportunities to expand cooperation in India and abroad.
Following the meeting, EAM Jaishankar took to X and wrote, "Pleased to meet His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V. Discussed the impactful work in social development & heritage preservation by the Aga Khan Development Network, and further opportunities in India and abroad."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met Prince Rahim Aga Khan V during his ongoing visit to India and discussed ways to further strengthen the wide-ranging partnership between India and the Aga Khan Development Network.
Prince Rahim arrived in India on Wednesday for a seven-day visit at the invitation of Vice President C P Radhakrishnan. This is his maiden visit to India since becoming the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community.
Welcoming Prince Rahim, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the visit would provide an opportunity to review ongoing cooperation with the Aga Khan Development Network in social development and heritage preservation, besides exploring collaboration in various development and community initiatives.
During his visit, which continues until September 15, Prince Rahim is scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. He will also meet Home Minister Amit Shah and other officials.
In addition to his engagements in the national capital, Prince Rahim will travel to Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Hyderabad, where the Aga Khan Development Network is involved in various development and community initiatives. His visit to Gujarat is scheduled for September 11 and 12.
Prince Rahim was named the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims in February 2025 following the death of his father, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, in accordance with the historical Shia Imami Ismaili tradition.
Throughout their 1,400-year history, the Ismailis have been led by a living, hereditary Imam. The community is spread across more than 35 countries and has an estimated population of around 12 to 15 million.
Prince Rahim also serves on the boards of several agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network and has closely followed the work of the Institute of Ismaili Studies and the Ismaili community's social governance institutions.
The visit comes against the backdrop of the longstanding engagement between the Aga Khan Foundation and India. The Aga Khan Development Network has been involved in several initiatives across the country, including social development, education, healthcare, heritage conservation and community development.
The meetings between Prince Rahim and senior Indian leaders are expected to provide further momentum to the longstanding partnership between India and the Aga Khan Development Network.
