New Delhi, September 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam and spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Chair of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), arrived in India on Thursday for a seven-day visit at the invitation of Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed Prince Rahim on his first visit to India since becoming the 50th Imam of the Ismaili community, saying the visit would provide an opportunity to review cooperation with the Aga Khan Development Network in social development and heritage preservation and explore further collaboration in development and community initiatives.
During his visit, which will continue 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 Union Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
As part of the visit, Prince Rahim will travel to Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Hyderabad, where the Aga Khan Development Network is involved in various social development and community initiatives.
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. His succession followed the historical Shia Imami Ismaili tradition under which the community has been led by a living, hereditary Imam.
The Ismaili community has a presence in more than 35 countries and is estimated to number between 12 million and 15 million people.
Prince Rahim also serves on the boards of several agencies within the Aga Khan Development Network and has closely followed the work of the Institute of Ismaili Studies and the community’s social governance institutions.
His visit comes against the backdrop of longstanding engagement between the Aga Khan Foundation and India.
Following the death of Aga Khan IV last year, Prime Minister Modi had condoled his demise and described him as a visionary who dedicated his life to service and spirituality.
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