Prince Rahim Aga Khan V has arrived in New Delhi ahead of the upcoming BRICS Summit and will be in India during a week-long tour in which he will meet President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders.
The visit is at an important moment for India, which is about to host the BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13 as chair of the expanded grouping. The bloc has 11 member countries now and its focus has been more on promoting cooperation among emerging economies and advancing priorities of the Global South than in recent years.
Prince Rahim will also travel to Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Hyderabad. In all three cities he is expected to join projects and initiatives in development associated with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) which is involved in education, health care, economic development, cultural preservation and civil society.
The prince's visit adds another important diplomatic dimension to a busy week for India. His meetings with senior Indian leaders should provide the chance to talk about development cooperation and other areas of mutual interest.
India prepares for BRICS Summit.
India is preparing for the BRICS Summit with security reinforced in New Delhi and the other locations in the vicinity of the event.
The summit will bring together leaders and senior representatives from the expanding BRICS membership. Economic growth, innovation, small businesses and the priorities of developing nations will be touched upon, the event says.
In particular micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will be particularly prominent as countries seek to enhance entrepreneurship, employment and cross-border economic cooperation. Innovation and technology will also be important topics.
India has repeatedly positioned its BRICS presidency around the interests and concerns of the Global South, seeking greater cooperation among developing and emerging economies.
VIDEO | Prince Rahim Aga Khan V arrives in Delhi ahead of BRICS Summit 2026.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 9, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) pic.twitter.com/qRVRgbHXhq
China Supports India’s Hosting
China has expressed support for India’s efforts to host the summit. But there’s no clear indication whether Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the conference.
The question of Xi’s participation has attracted extensive attention because China is so important for BRICS and India’s relationship.
The summit comes as BRICS is evolving as a new entity and is now expanding. The economic and geopolitical importance of the group has become larger and coordination among its members is more complex with the influx of new members.
Security and Hotel Demand Rise
The arrival of senior officials and international delegations has led to increased security preparations in the national capital. Security should be taken very seriously when summit venues, hotels and key transport routes are to open for use.
Luxury hotels in Delhi have also seen high demand as diplomats, officials and visiting delegations prepare for the two-day summit.
Prince Rahim’s week-long India visit, on the other hand, is going to be a more long-lasting one than the BRICS conference. His meetings and visits to Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Hyderabad are a sign of the wider development and cultural engagement of the Aga Khan Development Network.
With diplomacy, development and economic cooperation at the forefront, his visit comes just as India prepares for one of the year’s most eagerly watched international gatherings.
