Hyderabad, Oct. 10: Aga Khan V has reaffirmed the 120 year development partnership between the Ismaili Imamat and India, highlighting opportunities to support the country’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Chair of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), visited India from September 9 to 15. The visit included meetings with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior national and state leaders.
Discussions focused on cooperation in healthcare, education, agriculture, rural development, women’s empowerment, climate resilience, water management and heritage conservation.
Aga Khan V Discusses Development Cooperation Across States
In New Delhi, talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi covered public private partnerships, natural farming, reforestation and sustainable development. President Droupadi Murmu also recognised AKDN’s work in sanitation, maternal health, education, urban redevelopment and employment generation.
In Gujarat, Aga Khan V met Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. Discussions covered grassroots development, solar energy, rural development, cooperative institutions and women’s entrepreneurship.
In Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis discussed cooperation in healthcare, education, tribal development, skill training, water conservation and heritage protection. Proposals included a children’s hospital, specialised geriatric care, medical training and research facilities.
The discussions also covered environmental protection, urban cooling and increasing green cover. Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma discussed AKDN’s climate initiatives in Pune, Mira-Bhayandar and Chandrapur, along with efforts to restore water bodies in Vasai.
In Telangana, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy discussed education, healthcare, tourism, urban development and heritage conservation. He sought AKDN’s cooperation in restoring Hyderabad’s historic City College and the existing Osmania General Hospital building. The hospital building could be conserved as a heritage asset after a new hospital is constructed.
The meeting also covered the Musi River rejuvenation plans and opportunities to strengthen heritage conservation and tourism.
Aga Khan V 120 Years of Development Work in India
AKDN’s development approach emphasises pluralism, human dignity and community participation. Its programmes serve people across communities, irrespective of faith, origin or gender.
The relationship between the Ismaili Imamat and India dates back more than a century. Institutional development work began in 1905 with the establishment of the first Aga Khan school in Mundra, Gujarat.
Over the years, its activities have expanded into healthcare, education, rural livelihoods, economic inclusion, housing, culture and climate resilience. AKDN programmes now reach more than nine million people in India annually.
During the visit, discussions also explored possible cooperation in parts of Asia and Africa. Aga Khan V also met members of the Ismaili community in India.
The visit reaffirmed the potential for long term cooperation between Indian public institutions, AKDN, universities and communities to support development priorities and contribute to India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 ambition.
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