Telangana Governor welcomes Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, seeks deeper partnership with AKDN

Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla welcomed Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, 50th Hereditary Imam of Shia Ismaili Muslims and Chairman of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) at Lok Bhavan in Hyderabad on Monday (September 14, 2026) | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Monday (September 14, 2026) welcomed Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th Hereditary Imam of Shia Ismaili Muslims and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), at the Lok Bhavan in Hyderabad after his first official visit to India and Telangana.

During the meeting, the governor called for deeper collaboration between Telangana and AKDN in areas such as education, healthcare, urban development and community welfare.

Mr. Shukla expressed his condolences and paid homage to the late Aga Khan IV, recalling his contributions to India and the work of the Aga Khan Development Network. He noted that the Aga Khan IV was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 and was highly revered in the country.

The Governor also recalled Hyderabad’s long-standing collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the visit of Prince Rahim Aga Khan V to the city in July 2024 to inaugurate the restored Qutb Shahi Complex. He described the Trust’s landscape conservation and development work as a remarkable example of public-private partnership.

Mr. Shukla emphasized that the Aga Khan Academy near Hyderabad is an institution of excellence that nurtures young minds and future leaders.

Prince Rahim Aga Khan V highlighted AKDN’s work in Telangana in urban regeneration, community healthcare, women-led development and employment generation. He said the benefits of these initiatives to the local communities and emphasized the importance of continuing and strengthening the development partnership between AKDN and Telangana.

The Governor expressed confidence that the long-standing association between Telangana and AKDN will continue to expand and contribute to inclusive, sustainable and people-centric development.

As a gesture reflecting the state’s artistic heritage, the Governor presented Prince Rahim Aga Khan V with a Cheriyal Nakashi painting depicting traditional rural life in Telangana and a silver Karimnagar filigree veena with a Hansa (swan) motif.

Published – 15 Sep 2026 11:46 IST