By WorldSpokesperson News Desk
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili community, met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders during his first visit to India since becoming the community’s 50th Imam.
The meetings took place in New Delhi on Thursday, September 10. They focused on development cooperation, community initiatives and the long-standing relationship between the Ismaili Imamat and India.
Prime Minister Modi met Prince Rahim at Seva Teerth, the Prime Minister’s Office. Modi said they discussed ways to strengthen India’s partnership with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
The talks covered healthcare, agriculture, rural development, youth empowerment and women’s empowerment. Modi also recalled the contribution of the late Aga Khan IV to development efforts.
Prince Rahim Meets India’s President and Vice President
Prince Rahim also called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
He also met Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, who hosted a lunch in his honour. Senior government officials, Jamati leaders and AKDN representatives attended the gathering.
The visit provides an opportunity to review cooperation between India and the AKDN. It also allows both sides to explore new development and community initiatives.
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Talks With Amit Shah and S. Jaishankar
Prince Rahim further held meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Jaishankar said his discussion with Prince Rahim covered AKDN’s work in social development and heritage preservation. He also said they explored further opportunities in India and abroad.
The meetings highlighted the long-standing partnership between the Ismaili Imamat and India. They also focused on creating new opportunities for economic and social empowerment.
Prince Rahim Welcomes Continued Partnership
Prince Rahim expressed appreciation for India’s support for AKDN activities.
He said he was pleased to return to India, where the Ismaili Imamat has a long history. He also welcomed the productive discussions with India’s senior leadership.
The Aga Khan Development Network works across several fields, including health, education, agriculture, economic development, culture and heritage preservation.
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First India Visit Since Becoming 50th Imam
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V began his India visit on September 9. He will remain in the country until September 15.
The visit is his first to India since his accession as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili community. The Indian government said the visit would help review cooperation with the AKDN and explore further collaboration.
Prince Rahim is also travelling to Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Hyderabad during the visit. The AKDN has long-running development and community programmes in these cities and other parts of India.
Prince Rahim Travels to Gujarat
On Thursday evening, Prince Rahim travelled from New Delhi to Gujarat. Jamati leaders received him upon his arrival.
Gujarat has particular importance for the global Ismaili community. A large part of the community traces its cultural and linguistic heritage to towns and villages in the state.
Ismaili missionaries travelled to Gujarat and Sindh between the 11th and 16th centuries. Their teachings became associated with the Satpanth tradition and were preserved in devotional poetry known as Ginans.
Over time, Gujarati-speaking Khoja communities expanded through trade networks across South Asia, East Africa and other regions.
Prince Rahim’s Gujarat visit also highlights the AKDN’s long-standing development work in the state. The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme has supported rural communities through programmes in agriculture, water management, livelihoods and environmental development.
The wider India visit reflects the continuing relationship between the Ismaili Imamat and India. It also places development, social welfare and community cooperation at the centre of the engagement.
