London, United Kingdom, 4 February 2026 – Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer today welcomed His Highness the Aga Khan to 10 Downing Street, where they discussed strengthening cooperation on international development and humanitarian initiatives, and promoting pluralism and inter-faith relations.
The meeting culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the United Kingdom and the Ismaili Imamat at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London. The agreement, according to officials, renews a commitment to collaborative efforts addressing global challenges including climate change, the empowerment of women and girls, and economic growth. A joint coordinating committee will be established to oversee the partnership.
The partnership builds on a long-standing relationship. Since 1973, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), established by the Ismaili Imamat, has partnered with UK agencies such as the FCDO and British International Investment, as well as organizations like The King’s Trust International, on development projects across Africa, South and Central Asia, and the Middle East. These collaborations positively impact more than 15 million lives annually.
The Ismaili Imamat maintains a significant presence in the UK through institutions including the Aga Khan Foundation (UK), established in 1973; the Institute of Ismaili Studies, founded in 1977; and the Aga Khan University’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations, founded in 2002. These organizations are based at the Aga Khan Centre in London, a hub for education, knowledge, and cultural exchange. The Centre’s library, gallery, and public tours program aim to foster understanding of Muslim cultures, address the root causes of poverty, and connect the public to global development issues.
His Highness is currently in the UK for a visit with the Ismaili community from the UK and Ireland, who have resided in the country for over 60 years and actively contribute to its prosperity.
The Ismaili Imamat, a supranational legal entity, traces its origins back to 632 and represents the contemporary office of His Highness the Aga Khan V, marking almost 1,400 years of history and 49 uninterrupted successions through direct hereditary lineage. The Aga Khan Development Network is described as an initiative to fulfill the mandate of the Ismaili Imamat through institutional action, aiming to improve the quality of life for individuals regardless of origin, faith, or gender, and to foster self-reliance within communities.
On a separate note, the ISKCON Constitution was formally inaugurated at the 2026 Annual General Meeting in Mayapur today. The event, held on February 4, 2026, was presided over by GBC Chairman Govardhana Das, who presented a copy of the Constitution to His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Also today, ISKCON News reported that South African devotees celebrated a landmark moment on Nityananda Trayodashi, with Bhakti Narasingha Swami reading vows of allegiance and service before Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari in Lenasia, Johannesburg on January 31, 2026.
Elsewhere, over 500 people attended the BAPS wellNESS Health Convention in the UK on January 11, 2026. Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj offered a tribute to His Highness the Aga Khan.
