Modi meets Ismaili leader to strengthen development partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Prince Rahim Aga Khan V on Thursday during the spiritual leader's first visit to India since assuming his role as the 50th Imam of the Ismaili community. The meeting focused on deepening India's partnership with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a major international development organisation active across multiple sectors in the country.

During their discussions, Modi and Prince Rahim exchanged views on collaborative initiatives spanning healthcare, agriculture, rural development, and programmes aimed at youth and women empowerment. The Prime Minister recalled the contributions of Prince Rahim's predecessor, the late Aga Khan IV, whose legacy has defined decades of development work in South Asia.

Prince Rahim, who arrived in India on September 9 following an invitation from Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, is scheduled to remain in the country until September 15. His itinerary includes visits to Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Hyderabad, where AKDN operates various community development initiatives.

The AKDN has maintained a significant presence across India, implementing programmes in healthcare delivery, agricultural modernisation and community welfare. The visit underscores India's commitment to leveraging partnerships with international development agencies to advance its development objectives in rural and urban areas alike.