Prepared and compiled by MALIK MERCHANT
This page highlights His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to India, from his arrival on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, to its conclusion on September 15. Pre-arrival details are available on a separate page HERE. Barakah is dedicated to providing comprehensive coverage of the India visit. Please visit this page regularly for updates. This page was last updated on September 10, 2026 (18:00 EDT).
Anchor links are provided below for each day of his visit to India:
- September 10, 2026
- September 9, 2026: His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in India
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September 10, 2026 (2): His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in Gujarat
Following meetings in New Delhi with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and other National Leaders, Mawlana Hazar Imam travelled to Gujarat, a region with deep historical and cultural ties to the Ismaili community.
A large portion of the global Ismaili population traces its roots back to villages and towns in Gujarat. Between the 11th and 16th centuries, the Ismaili Imamat sent Pirs (missionaries) to Gujarat and Sindh, who, through their composition of Ginans (hymns or religious poetry) in local dialects and languages, sought to enlighten the local populace about the Satpanth, or the True Path — Sirat al-Mustaqim in Arabic — and provided an ethical framework for good and noble living. Notable Pirs include Pir Satgur Nur, Pir Shams, Pir Sadardin, and Pir Hasan Kabirdeen. For centuries, the devotional recitation of the Ginans they composed has continued to inspire the Jamat worldwide, alongside other traditional forms of recitation such as Qasidas from the Middle East and Central Asia.
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MEDIA COVERAGE
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September 10, 2026 (1): His Highness the Aga Khan meets India’s President and the Vice President, the Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and Union Minister in Delhi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, met His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th Imam of the Ismaili Community in New Delhi. During the meeting, Shri Modi fondly recalled the late Aga Khan IV, father of His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, and his enduring contributions to development efforts. The Prime Minister discussed ways to further strengthen the partnership with the Aga Khan Development Network in key areas, including healthcare, agriculture, rural development, youth empowerment and women empowerment.
In a subsequent update, the Prime Minister’s website highlighted the following points:
- PM appreciates AKDN’s longstanding contributions to India’s development priorities;
- PM commends the Network’s work in heritage conservation and restoration; and
- His Highness the Aga Khan reaffirms AKDN’s commitment to India’s inclusive growth and social progress.
The Prime Minister appreciated AKDN’s longstanding contributions in India, particularly in sustainable urban development, water conservation, healthcare, rural sanitation, skill development for youth and women empowerment. Prime Minister also commended AKDN’s pioneering efforts in preserving India’s cultural heritage through the restoration and rejuvenation of historic sites across the country.
His Highness the Aga Khan reaffirmed AKDN’s commitment to India’s inclusive growth and social progress. He appreciated India’s transformative development initiatives and shared his perspectives on the role of innovation in advancing human welfare.
In a post on X, Shri Modi said;
“Happy to meet His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V. Fondly recalled his father, the late Aga Khan IV and his enduring contributions to development efforts. Discussed ways to further strengthen our partnership with the Aga Khan Development Network in healthcare, agriculture, rural development, youth and women empowerment.”
Mawlana Hazar Imam also met with India’s President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar, and Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah. The Vice President hosted a lunch in Hazar Imam’s honour, attended by senior government officials and leaders of the Ismaili community and AKDN.
The meetings offered a chance to discuss the long-standing partnership between the Ismaili Imamat and India, and their ongoing collaboration to create opportunities for economic empowerment both in India and in other parts of the world.
“I am very happy to be back in India, a country with which the Ismaili Imamat has a long history,” Hazar Imam said. “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.”
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MEDIA COVERAGE
- AKDN: His Highness the Aga Khan meets with India’s national leadership during his first official visit
- The Ismaili: Mawlana Hazar Imam meets Indian Prime Minister and national leaders
- Khaama Press: PM Modi, Prince Rahim Aga Khan V Discuss Expanding India-AKDN Development Partnership
- The Economic Times: Prince Rahim Aga Khan V meets PM Modi to discuss India-AKDN partnership in development
- The Tribune: VP Radhakrishnan, Prince Rahim Aga Khan V reaffirm need to eradicate radicalisation, dialogue path to peace during talks
- Devdiscourse: EAM Jaishankar Meets Prince Rahim Aga Khan: Strengthening Heritage and Social Ties
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Social Media Coverage
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MEDIA COVERAGE
- The Economic Times: Prince Rahim Aga Khan V meets PM Modi to discuss India-AKDN partnership in development
- The Tribune: VP Radhakrishnan, Prince Rahim Aga Khan V reaffirm need to eradicate radicalisation, dialogue path to peace during talks
- Devdiscourse: EAM Jaishankar Meets Prince Rahim Aga Khan: Strengthening Heritage and Social Ties
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September 9, 2026: His Highness the Aga Khan arrives in India
Ismaili Muslims in India have eagerly anticipated the visit of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, for weeks. The special moment finally arrived when he landed in New Delhi on September 9, 2026. IANS, India’s largest independent news agency, reported his arrival on its X account. Asian News International (ANI) posted his arrival video. The Ismaili, the official website of the Ismaili community, has since covered his arrival. His 7-day visit from September 9 to 15 will include meetings with government leaders and the bestowing of Didars upon the Jamat in India.
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India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has released a detailed itinerary of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s meetings with government officials. This visit marks his first trip to India since he assumed the role of Imam on February 4, 2025, and it will be his 11th visit to the global Ismaili community. Mawlana Hazar Imam’s previous visits include France, Kenya, Uganda, the USA, Portugal, the UK, Eastern Canada, Northern Pakistan, Germany and Western Canada (click on the links for Barakah’s special coverage of the 10 trips). We celebrate with the Jamat in India during this historic visit and look forward to providing coverage over the next week.
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MEDIA COVERAGE
(Selected links from external media)
- The Print India: Prince Rahim Aga Khan V arrives in India for historic first visit: Meeting Modi, Shah, Jaishankar
- The Ismaili: Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives in Delhi
- Akashvani News: 50th Imam of Ismaili community Prince Rahim Aga Khan V arrives in New Delhi on maiden visit to India
- The Times of India: Rahim Aga Khan V to visit Gujarat on Sep 11, 12
- FM Bharat: Prince Rahim Aga Khan V arrives in India for week-long visit
- ANI: Prince Rahim Aga Khan V arrives in New Delhi for week-long maiden visit
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Social Media Coverage
(Selected links – we will strive to avoid duplicate posts referencing the same news item)
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YouTube Video: Ismaili Update 1
The Ismaili Update 1 features Mawlana Hazar Imam’s arrival in New Delhi on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, as he commences his 7-day visit to India.
Date posted: September 9, 2026.
Last updated: September 10, 2026.
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