Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed a wide range of issues, including the Mekedatu dam issue, the arrest of fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and the Vande Mataram controversy.
The meeting comes barely two weeks after the actor-turned-politician assumed office. The meeting is significant as it is Vijay's maiden official visit to Delhi after becoming the CM.
According to a government release, CM Vijay expressed serious concern over Karnataka's announcement of a ground-breaking ceremony for the Mekedatu dam project across the Cauvery River. He pointed out that the move was completely against the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) and the verdict of the Supreme Court.
He said the development has caused concern among Tamil Nadu farmers and urged the PM to direct the Jal Shakti Ministry and the Central Water Commission not to permit the project without the consent of co-basin states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.
CM requested Modi to issue a clear directive allowing the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu (invocation song) to be sung at the start of government events.
During the meeting, Vijay also urged the prime minister to take strong measures to secure the immediate release of Tamil Nadu fishermen and their vessels. According to the Tamil Nadu government, 12 such arrest incidents have taken place in 2026 so far, with 58 fishermen currently in Sri Lankan custody and 266 fishing boats seized. Vijay requested PM Modi to ensure efforts by both the Indian and Sri Lankan governments for the immediate release of the fishermen and their boats.
Vijay also sought the establishment of the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) in Tamil Nadu. He said discussions had been underway within the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) regarding the setting up of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) design and development centre and CABS in the state.
Vijay also visited Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. A statement from the CM's office said he told the finance minister that Tamil Nadu continues to emerge as a rapidly developing state and stressed that investment in key infrastructure projects is essential to sustain and accelerate this growth.
Vijay requested Sitharaman to prioritise financial allocations for sectors crucial to Tamil Nadu’s development, including highways, railway projects and industrial corridors.
The CM also urged the Union government to establish institutes of national importance in Tamil Nadu in order to further strengthen the state’s educational ecosystem.
Further, he sought financial support for metro rail projects aimed at improving public transport infrastructure in Coimbatore and Madurai.
