Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay made his maiden official visit to New Delhi on Wednesday, holding meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, whilst raising issues ranging from the arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy to disputes over the Cauvery river and the status of Tamil cultural traditions at official state functions.
Vijay met Modi at the Prime Minister’s Office in New Delhi for what was described as a courtesy call, during which discussions reportedly centred on several matters concerning Tamil Nadu and relations with the Union government.
Among the issues raised by the Tamil Nadu chief minister was the continued arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, a politically sensitive issue that has remained a recurring source of tension between Tamil Nadu and New Delhi.
According to details released following the meeting, Vijay told the Indian prime minister that twelve incidents involving the arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen had already taken place in 2026 alone. He stated that 58 fishermen were currently detained in Sri Lanka whilst 266 fishing boats remained in Sri Lankan custody.
Vijay urged the Indian government to pressure Colombo into securing the immediate release of the detained fishermen and their vessels.
The issue has remained a major political flashpoint in Tamil Nadu for years, particularly amongst coastal communities in Ramanathapuram and Nagapattinam districts, where repeated arrests, alleged assaults and boat seizures by the Sri Lankan Navy have fuelled anger towards both Colombo and successive governments in New Delhi.
The visit came just weeks after Vijay formally wrote to Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar requesting diplomatic intervention following the arrest of six Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy.
During his meeting with Modi, Vijay also expressed gratitude to the Indian prime minister for facilitating the retrieval of the historic Anaimangalam copper plates from the Netherlands during Modi’s recent visit to Europe.
The Tamil Nadu chief minister further raised concerns regarding the singing of Tamil Thai Vazhthu, the Tamil invocation song traditionally rendered at the beginning of official state functions in Tamil Nadu.
According to Vijay, confusion had emerged following a circular issued earlier this year by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, after which the national song was reportedly sung before Tamil Thai Vazhthu at certain government events.
Vijay requested that the Indian prime minister facilitate a clarification allowing state invocation songs, including Tamil Thai Vazhthu, to continue being sung at the commencement of official functions.
He also handed over a letter detailing the “historical and cultural significance” of Tamil Thai Vazhthu and urged Modi to intervene regarding the Ministry of Home Affairs order issued on January 28 this year.
The Tamil Nadu chief minister additionally requested greater central government support for infrastructure and defence-related projects in the state.
He urged the Union government to establish the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) in Tamil Nadu and referred to earlier discussions with India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation concerning the proposed Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft Design and Development Centre.
Another major issue discussed was Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project across the Cauvery river, which Tamil Nadu has strongly opposed.
Vijay requested that the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission not approve the project without the consent of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, warning of its implications for downstream water access.
Later, during a separate meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Vijay sought priority funding for infrastructure development projects in Tamil Nadu, including ports, highways, railway schemes and industrial corridors.
He also requested financial support for metro rail projects in Hosur, Coimbatore and Madurai, arguing that the three cities play a key role in Tamil Nadu’s economic and industrial growth.
Vijay further urged the Union government to establish additional Institutes of National Importance within Tamil Nadu.
Amit Shah absent, Gandhi deferred
However, the chief minister’s first official visit to New Delhi also attracted political attention due to several notable absences and postponed meetings.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah did not meet Vijay during the trip despite intense speculation beforehand regarding a possible interaction between the two leaders.
Meetings reportedly scheduled with Indian president Droupadi Murmu and vice president C. P. Radhakrishnan also did not take place.
Meanwhile, Vijay postponed planned meetings with Congress leaders from the Gandhi family, a development that generated discussion within Tamil Nadu political circles given the Congress party’s alliance with the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government.
The postponement drew additional attention as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had attended Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony earlier this year, signalling the importance of the alliance between the two parties.
Several Indian media outlets later reported that meetings between Vijay and Congress leadership are expected to take place during future visits to the capital.
Sections of the Tamil Nadu media also criticised Vijay for departing New Delhi without addressing reporters or holding a formal media briefing following his meetings with central government leaders.
The absence of direct engagement with the press was viewed negatively by some political commentators and journalists, particularly given the significance of the visit and growing public interest surrounding the new Tamil Nadu administration’s relationship with New Delhi.