NEW DELHI (India CSR): His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V has begun his first official visit to India since becoming the 50th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims and Chair of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in February 2025. The visit follows the passing of his father, His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. During his visit to New Delhi, His Highness met the Honourable Prime Minister and conveyed gratitude for India’s continued support for the work of the Aga Khan Development Network. The discussions highlighted the close alignment of AKDN’s activities with India’s development priorities under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
His Highness also called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan hosted a lunch in his honour. He further held talks with Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah and Minister of External Affairs Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
Development Partnership Focus
The meetings provided an opportunity to discuss areas in which the Ismaili Imamat and India can continue working together to create economic opportunities, improve quality of life and advance development priorities in India and other regions of mutual interest. Expressing appreciation for India’s long-standing partnership with the Ismaili Imamat, His Highness said, “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.”
Six-Day Engagement
During the six-day visit, His Highness is scheduled to travel to Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana. He will meet the Governor and Chief Minister in each state to discuss the work of AKDN and explore areas for future partnership. He is also expected to meet members of the Ismaili community residing in India. Institutions of the Ismaili Imamat have had a presence in India since the 19th century, when early community institutions were established. Over time, these initiatives developed into national institutions and programmes working across rural and urban development, health, education, economic inclusion, culture, habitat, early childhood development and climate resilience.
AKDN’s India Reach
According to the AKDN in India fact sheet, its programmes and institutions reach more than 9 million people in India annually. Its agriculture and food-security support benefits over 3.60 lakh farmers from marginalised rural communities. Early childhood development programmes reach over 35 lakh children, while nutritional screening and counselling services are provided to more than 22 lakh individuals annually. Aga Khan Schools educate over 8,500 children each year.
AKDN-linked initiatives have also helped build more than 1.70 lakh sanitation units. Skills training, micro-enterprises and support services have generated employment for more than 55,000 individuals. Its school and hostel safety programmes have reached over 50,000 students and staff.
The network provides support to more than 9,800 civil-society organisations. Its cultural-development sites and programmes, including Humayun’s Tomb, Humayun’s Tomb Museum, Sunder Nursery and Nizamuddin Basti, attract around 40 lakh visitors annually.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Visit | First official India visit of Aga Khan V as Imam and AKDN Chair |
| Leadership meetings | Prime Minister, President, Vice-President, Home Minister and External Affairs Minister |
| Visit duration | Six days |
| States to be visited | Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana |
| AKDN annual reach in India | Over 9 million people |
| Farmers supported | Over 3.60 lakh |
| Children reached through ECD | Over 35 lakh |
| Individuals receiving nutrition services | Over 22 lakh |
| Sanitation units supported | Over 1.70 lakh |
| Employment enabled | More than 55,000 individuals |
