Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday held a meeting with Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Chair of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), in New Delhi. The two discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between India and the AKDN across sectors including sports and education, while reaffirming the importance of dialogue in promoting peace, stability and shared prosperity.
The Vice President’s Office said the discussions also covered the AKDN’s contributions to water and sanitation, women-led Self-Help Groups, education and community development. The leaders appreciated the network’s development initiatives in East Africa and Afghanistan and explored opportunities for further cooperation. They also stressed the need to work towards eradicating radicalisation and strengthening dialogue as a means of addressing challenges and promoting peaceful coexistence.
Prince Rahim’s meeting with the Vice President was part of his seven-day official visit to India at Radhakrishnan’s invitation. Earlier in the day, he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with discussions focusing on further strengthening the partnership between India and the AKDN in healthcare, agriculture, rural development, youth and women’s empowerment. Modi also recalled the contributions of Prince Rahim’s late father, Aga Khan IV, to development efforts.
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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar separately met Prince Rahim in New Delhi and discussed the AKDN’s work in social development and heritage preservation. Jaishankar said the meeting also explored further opportunities for cooperation in India and abroad. The engagements highlight the range of development-related areas in which India and the network have been working and could expand their partnership.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Prince Rahim will remain in India until September 15 and is also scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu and meet Home Minister Amit Shah. During his visit, he will travel to Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Hyderabad, where the AKDN is involved in various development and community initiatives.
Prince Rahim became 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 current visit brings together engagements with India’s senior leadership and discussions on development cooperation, education, social initiatives and community welfare, while also placing emphasis on dialogue and efforts to counter radicalisation.
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