Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Meets PM Modi in Delhi on First Official Visit
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Wednesday in a politically significant interaction that came barely weeks after the actor-turned-politician took office and nearly 12 years after their last known meeting.
The meeting, held at Seva Teerth in the national capital, lasted around 25 minutes and is being closely watched amid shifting Centre–State dynamics and Vijay’s growing national political profile following his party’s rapid rise in Tamil Nadu.
During the meeting, Vijay handed over a detailed petition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi listing a series of key state concerns. These included the Vande Mataram protocol controversy , the Mekedatu dam dispute , strategic defence infrastructure proposals , and the ongoing arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy .
On the Vande Mataram issue, Vijay referred to the recent controversy over a directive that the song be performed first at official events. He urged the Centre to allow the Tamil Nadu state anthem to be sung before Vande Mataram in government functions, framing it as an issue of cultural protocol and state identity.
On the Mekedatu project, Vijay strongly objected to Karnataka’s plan, citing concerns over the Cauvery river water-sharing framework . He reportedly described the project as a violation of established legal and tribunal arrangements and urged the Centre to ensure no clearance is granted without consensus from riparian states.
According to official inputs and reports, Vijay also raised the issue of defence and aerospace investments , urging the Centre to consider Tamil Nadu for key infrastructure linked to ongoing DRDO initiatives, including proposals related to the CABS facility and the AMCA programme ecosystem , positioning the state as a potential defence manufacturing hub.
On the fishermen issue, the Chief Minister highlighted that 58 Tamil Nadu fishermen are currently lodged in Sri Lankan prisons , while 288 fishing boats have been seized . He urged immediate diplomatic intervention for their release and the return of boats, calling it a matter of livelihood security for coastal communities.
Soon after the meeting, Vijay arrived at Tamil Nadu House in Delhi , where he was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour during his first official visit to the capital after assuming office.