Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on May 27, the Prime Minister's Office confirmed. It was a meeting between the two office-holders; the PMO's brief announcement did not report a decision on the state government's requests.
The Times of India's 5:54 pm report said Vijay submitted a memorandum opposing Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu dam without consent from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. He asked for directions to the Jal Shakti ministry and Central Water Commission, arguing that the proposed ground-breaking conflicted with the Cauvery tribunal award and Supreme Court verdict.
Vijay also sought clarification permitting Tamil Thai Vazhthu to remain at the beginning of state government functions. He requested support for a Centre for Airborne Systems and an Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft design and development centre in Tamil Nadu, referring to discussions with DRDO over previous years.
On fishing communities, the chief minister reported 12 arrest incidents during 2026, with 58 fishermen in Sri Lankan custody and 266 boats seized. He requested diplomatic intervention to secure their release. These figures were the state's presentation in the memorandum, not an independently reconciled count of detention cases.
The visit's broader financial agenda had been outlined in NDTV's morning coverage. Expected requests included Chennai Metro expansion, pending GST compensation, releases under central schemes and education funding. The broadcaster also identified timely supplies of fertilisers, including urea, as an issue for the approaching kharif cultivation season.
The aircraft-centre request concerned a programme with an industry-partnership framework already approved in May 2025. The Defence Ministry assigned its execution to the Aeronautical Development Agency and opened competition to both public and private Indian companies. Firms could participate individually, through joint ventures or in consortia to develop the AMCA prototype. Vijay's memorandum sought a Tamil Nadu design-and-development presence within that wider aerospace effort.
