NEW DELHI — GTNS, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslim community, in New Delhi on Thursday, with discussions centred on strengthening India’s partnership with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
The meeting assumed significance as Prince Rahim Aga Khan V is on his first official visit to India since becoming the 50th Imam in February 2025, following the passing of his father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. He is also the Chairman of the AKDN.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi recalled the contributions of the late Aga Khan IV to development efforts and discussed avenues for expanding cooperation with the AKDN.
The discussions covered several development-oriented sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, rural development, youth empowerment and women’s empowerment.
The engagement comes during Prince Rahim Aga Khan V’s India visit from September 9 to 15, which includes meetings with senior Indian leadership and visits to locations where AKDN is involved in development and community initiatives.
His India programme also includes engagements with President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. He is scheduled to travel to Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Hyderabad during the visit.
The Aga Khan Development Network has longstanding engagement in India across areas including social development, healthcare, education, rural development and heritage preservation. The current discussions are aimed at building on that cooperation and identifying further areas for collaboration.
The meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Prince Rahim Aga Khan V therefore places the emphasis on development, community welfare and inclusive growth, strengthening an institutional partnership that has operated in India for decades.
The engagement also comes as New Delhi hosts a series of high-level international interactions around the 18th BRICS Summit, adding another important dimension to the diplomatic activity in the capital.