May 12th, 2008 - 3:30 pm

New Delhi, May 12 (ANI): Religious leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, the Aga Khan met Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahmed here today.

The Aga Khan, who arrived here this morning, is scheduled to meet President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and other leaders.

During his eight-day visit to India, the Aga Khan will also visit Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra to participate in programmes being organised in connection with the Ismaili community’s commemoration of his Golden Jubilee, the Aga Khan’s 50th year as Imam of the community.

The Aga Khan will depart for Dhaka from Mumbai on May 19.

The Aga Khan is the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) working to improve living conditions and opportunities of people in sub-Sahara Africa, Central and South Asia and West Asia.  AKDN’s nine development agencies with an annual budget of over 350 million dollar focus on social, cultural and economic development irrespective of race, religion, political persuasion or gender.