Zillar Barta Desk,New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday met Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam and spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community, during his ongoing visit to India.
Jaishankar said the meeting focused on the work of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in social development and heritage preservation, as well as opportunities for further cooperation in India and abroad.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V arrived in India on September 9 for a seven-day visit scheduled to continue until September 15. During his visit, he is holding meetings with senior Indian leaders, including President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met Prince Rahim Aga Khan V in New Delhi. Their discussions covered ways to strengthen cooperation with the Aga Khan Development Network in areas including healthcare, agriculture, rural development, youth empowerment and women’s empowerment.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V succeeded his late father, Aga Khan IV, in 2025 and became the 50th hereditary Imam of the Nizari Ismaili Muslim community. His current India visit is his first since assuming the spiritual leadership of the community.
The visit is being seen as an important opportunity to strengthen India’s engagement with the Aga Khan Development Network, which has been involved in social development, education, healthcare, cultural preservation and heritage-related initiatives in the country.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V is also scheduled to travel to Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Hyderabad during his India visit, where the Aga Khan Development Network has undertaken various community and development initiatives.
