Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a significant conference in Chennai with chief ministers from southern states and Puducherry. The meeting's agenda included resolving inter-state disputes like the Mekedatu and Cauvery water issues between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and promoting collective growth across the region. A major focus was also placed on combating transnational drug trafficking, particularly following a large methamphetamine seizure, with discussions on investigations into a wider network and strengthening coastal security. The conference underscored the importance of regional cooperation in addressing security challenges and economic development in southern India.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a significant conference in Chennai with chief ministers from southern states and Puducherry. The meeting's agenda included resolving inter-state disputes like the Mekedatu and Cauvery water issues between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and promoting collective growth across the region. A major focus was also placed on combating transnational drug trafficking, particularly following a large methamphetamine seizure, with discussions on investigations into a wider network and strengthening coastal security. The conference underscored the importance of regional cooperation in addressing security challenges and economic development in southern India.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a significant conference in Chennai with chief ministers from southern states and Puducherry. The meeting's agenda included resolving inter-state disputes like the Mekedatu and Cauvery water issues between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and promoting collective growth across the region. A major focus was also placed on combating transnational drug trafficking, particularly following a large methamphetamine seizure, with discussions on investigations into a wider network and strengthening coastal security. The conference underscored the importance of regional cooperation in addressing security challenges and economic development in southern India.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Chennai on Wednesday evening to chair a conference of the chief ministers of southern states and Puducherry. Shah arrived at the old airport in Chennai by a special flight from New Delhi  and was received by Tamil Nadu Minister B. Rajkumar, Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran, former state BJP president Pon. Radhakrishnan, BJP functionaries and government officials.

Chief ministers of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Puducherry are expected to participate in the conference. According to sources, during the conference, the home minister will discuss with the chief ministers various issues related to southern states, particularly to find an amicable solution with regard to several inter-state issues, contentious issues like the Mekedatu row between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and also discuss collective growth in the southern states across various spheres.

Sources indicate that TN Chief Minister Vijay will also discuss the Cauvery row and the three Tamils killed in the firing incident at Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Chamarajanagar's Hanur taluk with his Karnataka counterpart D.K. Shivakumar.

The conference gains significance against the backdrop of issues involving NIA searches in various places in the southern states, particularly Tamil Nadu, over the past two weeks. According to high-placed sources, the conference will also focus on the seizure of over 6,016 kg of methamphetamine from a Myanmarese boat near the Barren Islands in the Bay of Bengal in November 2024. This drug haul prompted the Andaman and Nicobar police to register a case, following which six Myanmarese were arrested in March 2025. This led to searches in five locations in Mizoram and eight locations in Tamil Nadu on August 12. During the searches, several digital devices, ₹71 lakh in cash, $53,500, and 1,50,000 Myanmar Kyat were seized in Chennai.

However, investigating agencies suspect a larger transnational narcotics trafficking network. Sources say that the home minister might indicate the Centre's commitment to identifying the private individuals involved in this conspiracy and establishing connections between the seized methamphetamine and wider international drug syndicates.

Shah is likely to emphasise the need for greater vigilance and action in handling the illegal trade of narcotics on the southern coast, as well as coastal security issues. 

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