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Prince Karim Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the 15 million Shia Ismaili Muslims, arrived in Dhaka on Monday morning on a two-day visit.
Foreign minister Dipu Moni received him at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on his arrival by private a jet to a red carpet reception.

From there, he will go to the National Memorial in Savar to pay respects to the Liberation War heroes, a foreign ministry official says.

The Aga Khan is also the founder and Chairperson of the Aga Khan Development Network, one of the largest private development groups in the world.

This is his first visit during this government’s tenure. The last time he visited Bangladesh was in 2008 at the invitation of the then Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed. It was also part of the celebrations of his 50th anniversary as the hereditary and spiritual leader.

During his visit, he is expected to meet President Md Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith and Moni.

After his meeting with the Prime Minister, the Aga Khan Development Network will sign an agreement with Bangladesh government at around 6pm on expanding its operations.

In Bangladesh, the Aga Khan Foundation works with NGOs working in different fields, mainly in rural development, microfinance and education since 1980.

He will also visit the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondhi and spend time with the people of his community in Dhaka.

The Prime Minister will host a dinner in his honour on Monday.

Aga Khan became the Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims in 1957 at the age of 20, succeeding his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan.

He will leave Dhaka on Tuesday noon.