Telangana Governor backs deeper AKDN ties in education, healthcare
Synopsis
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V's first official visit to India since assuming the Imamat in 2025 brought him to Hyderabad, where Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla called for deeper AKDN collaboration in education, healthcare and urban renewal — building on the Network's visible footprint, from the restored Qutb Shahi complex to the Aga Khan Academy.
Key Takeaways
Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla met Prince Rahim Aga Khan V at Lok Bhavan, Hyderabad on 14 September 2026 .
The visit is Prince Rahim's first official trip to India and Telangana since assuming the Imamat in 2025 .
Governor Shukla called for expanded AKDN cooperation in education, healthcare, urban development and community welfare .
The late Aga Khan IV was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 ; his conservation work on the Qutb Shahi complex was specifically recalled.
Minister Mohammed Azharuddin welcomed Prince Rahim on arrival; both sides expressed intent to deepen the Telangana–AKDN development partnership.
Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Monday, 14 September 2026, called for further strengthening cooperation between Telangana and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) across education, healthcare, urban development and community welfare. The occasion was the first official visit to Hyderabad by Prince Rahim Aga Khan V — the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Chairman of the AKDN — after assuming his responsibilities as Imam in 2025.
A Historic First Visit
Governor Shukla received Prince Rahim Aga Khan V at Lok Bhavan, marking the prince's first official engagement with Telangana's administration since taking over the Imamat. The Governor began by paying his respects to the late Aga Khan IV, recalling his lasting contribution to India and the AKDN's work. He noted that the late Aga Khan IV was conferred the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 and was held in high regard across the country.
Hyderabad's Enduring AKDN Connection
Shukla highlighted Hyderabad's longstanding association with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, warmly recounting Prince Rahim's earlier visit to the city in July 2024 for the inauguration of the restored Qutb Shahi complex. He described the conservation and landscape development carried out by the Trust as a notable model of public-private partnership in heritage restoration.
The Governor also praised the Aga Khan Academy near Hyderabad as an institution of excellence nurturing young minds and future leaders, and highlighted the AKDN's broader contributions to urban renewal, community healthcare, women-led development and employment generation across Telangana.
What the Governor Said
'We see your Network as a force for good and would encourage enhancing the cooperation between Telangana and AKDN,' Governor Shukla said, inviting Prince Rahim to share his perspectives on the Network's initiatives in the state and across India.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V in turn underscored the AKDN's work in Telangana and expressed the importance of continuing and deepening the development partnership. He noted the substantial benefits these initiatives have brought to local communities.
Warm Welcome from State Government
Earlier in the day, Minister for Minorities Welfare Mohammed Azharuddin welcomed Prince Rahim on his arrival in Hyderabad. In a post on X, Azharuddin described the visit as 'deeply significant,' noting it reflected the enduring relationship between the Aga Khan and India — built, he said, over decades through a shared commitment to human development, education, healthcare, heritage conservation and community welfare.
What Comes Next
Both sides expressed confidence that the longstanding Telangana–AKDN partnership would continue to grow toward inclusive, sustainable and people-centric development. No specific new agreements or funding commitments were announced, but the visit is widely seen as a foundation for expanded institutional collaboration in the months ahead.
Point of View
From the Qutb Shahi restoration to the Aga Khan Academy, represents the kind of credible, outcome-linked private investment that governments struggle to replicate. The absence of any announced new commitments, however, means this visit remains aspirational for now. The real test will be whether the warm words at Lok Bhavan translate into tangible expanded programmes — particularly in women-led development and community healthcare, where the need on the ground is acute.
NationPress
14 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Prince Rahim Aga Khan V?
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V is the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). He assumed the Imamat in 2025 following the passing of his father, the late Aga Khan IV.
Why did Prince Rahim Aga Khan V visit Hyderabad?
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V visited Hyderabad on 14 September 2026 as part of his first official trip to India since assuming the Imamat. He met Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla to discuss deepening AKDN's development partnership with the state in education, healthcare and urban renewal.
What is the Aga Khan Development Network's work in Telangana?
The AKDN's work in Telangana spans urban renewal, community healthcare, women-led development and employment generation. The Network also oversaw the restoration of the Qutb Shahi complex in Hyderabad, inaugurated in July 2024, and runs the Aga Khan Academy near Hyderabad.
What did the late Aga Khan IV contribute to India?
The late Aga Khan IV made significant contributions to India through the AKDN's development work and heritage conservation projects, including the Qutb Shahi restoration in Hyderabad. He was honoured with India's second-highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2015.
What was announced after the Telangana Governor's meeting with Prince Rahim?
No specific new agreements or funding commitments were announced following the meeting at Lok Bhavan. Both sides expressed intent to continue and deepen the longstanding Telangana–AKDN development partnership, with the visit seen as a platform for expanded future collaboration.
