PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 11, 2025: French President Emmanuel Macron received Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, at the Elysee Palace on Friday, July 11, for an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. The meeting marked the Prince’s first foreign visit since assuming the leadership of the Ismaili Imamat on February 5, 2025. According to a statement from the French Presidency, the visit underscores “the importance of France for the Ismaili Imamat” and a mutual commitment to “reinforce relations.” Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in development aid, humanitarian assistance, education, and the preservation of cultural heritage. A formal signing ceremony for bilateral agreements was also scheduled. The Elysee emphasized that the visit reflects a longstanding relationship between France and the Ismaili Imamat, grounded in shared values of culture, sustainable development, and heritage conservation. According to French media, the Prince’s visit initiates a new phase of diplomacy, reinforcing Paris’s role as a key partner in the Imamat’s global humanitarian and cultural initiatives. Writing by Nur Zeynep Dukmen