New Delhi, May 13 (ANI): Religious leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, the Aga Khan met President Pratibha Devisingh Patil here on Tuesday.

The Aga Khan exchanged pleasantries with President Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The two leaders reportedly discussed matters of mutual interest.

The Aga Khan is also the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) working to improve living conditions and opportunities of people in sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia and West Asia.

AKDN’s nine development agencies with an annual budget of over 350 million dollars focus on social, cultural and economic development irrespective of race, religion, political persuasion or gender.

During his eight-day visit to India, the Aga Khan would also be going to Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra to participate in programmes 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 is the hereditary title of the Imam of the Nizari Ismaili, a sect of the Shia Ismaili sect of Islam, formed in 1094 when the followers of an-Nizar split away from the Mustaliyya.

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