Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Aga Khan V and Gujarat CM Patel Discuss Development Cooperation
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V met Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
They talked about ways to improve life for people in Gujarat.
Important topics included saving water, collecting rainwater and restoring water bodies.
They also discussed growing and processing millets.
Solar energy and solar-powered pumps were possible areas for cooperation.
Gujarat shared information about its solar power and rooftop solar programs.
The leaders discussed using cooperatives to provide more services in villages.
Women’s empowerment, education, skills and entrepreneurship were also mentioned.
Both sides said they wanted to work together on sustainable and inclusive development.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V met Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar on Saturday, September 12.
They discussed sustainable development and grassroots cooperation involving water, millets, solar energy and rural economies.
Patel cited Gujarat’s 34,880 MW installed solar capacity and a target of 10 lakh rooftop systems.
More than 87,000 cooperative societies operate in Gujarat, with efforts to expand village-level services through PACS.
The meeting was Aga Khan V’s first official India visit since becoming Imam in February 2025.
- Who
- Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat officials and representatives associated with the Aga Khan Development Network.
- What
- They discussed cooperation on Gujarat’s sustainable, inclusive and people-centric development, including water conservation, millets, solar energy, cooperatives and empowerment initiatives.
- When
- Saturday, September 12; the reports do not specify the year for the meeting date.
- Where
- Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
- Why
- To explore stronger cooperation between the Gujarat government, the Ismaili Imamat and the Aga Khan Development Network on improving living conditions and creating opportunities.
- Meeting location
- Gandhinagar, Gujarat
- Solar capacity
- Gujarat’s installed solar capacity was reported at 34,880 MW.
- Rooftop solar target
- Gujarat aims to install 10 lakh rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
- Rooftop systems installed
- More than 8.39 lakh systems had already been installed, according to the reports.
- Cooperative societies
- More than 87,000 cooperative societies are operational in Gujarat.
- Aga Khan V’s India visit
- It was his first official visit to India since becoming Imam in February 2025.
- Other meetings
- He also met Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior national leaders on September 10.
