Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following his return from an official visit to the Maldives, addressed a rally in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, where he emphasized the significance of the recently concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom. Describing it as a historic milestone, he said the agreement reflected the growing global confidence in India's economic and political stature. The Prime Minister noted that such international agreements not only reinforce trust but also serve as a major step towards realizing the vision of a developed India and a developed Tamil Nadu. He stated that the FTA would accelerate the nation's progress and contribute directly to the broader goal of “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) and “Viksit Tamil Nadu.”
During his address, Modi also referred to Operation Sindoor, highlighting how indigenously manufactured weapons under the 'Make in India' initiative had played a decisive role in recent cross-border military actions. He said the successful deployment of Indian-made weaponry had helped neutralize enemy threats and had a demoralizing effect on hostile forces, demonstrating the increasing capability of India's defense sector. This, according to him, was a testament to the country’s growing self-reliance in defense manufacturing and technological advancement.
The Prime Minister's visit to Tuticorin was also marked by the inauguration, foundation laying, and dedication of numerous development projects worth approximately ₹4,900 crore. These projects spanned key infrastructure sectors such as aviation, highways, railways, ports, and power, reinforcing the central government’s commitment to Tamil Nadu’s comprehensive development. Modi expressed that his arrival in Tamil Nadu immediately after a successful international engagement was symbolic of his deep respect and prioritization of the state’s development needs.
Highlighting infrastructure and energy as the foundational pillars for state-level progress, Modi mentioned that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has consistently invested in these sectors over the past eleven years. Iconic projects such as the Atal Setu bridge, the Sonmarg Tunnel, and the Bogibeel Bridge were cited as examples of infrastructural milestones that have generated employment and enhanced regional connectivity. The railways, he added, continue to serve as a crucial enabler of industrial development.
Among the projects inaugurated was the new Tuticorin airport terminal building, constructed at a cost of around ₹450 crore and equipped with modern facilities. In the railway sector, he launched the electrification of the 90-kilometer Madurai–Bodinayakkanur line, developed at ₹99 crore, along with the ₹650 crore doubling of the 21-kilometer Nagercoil Town–Kanniyakumari railway section. Highway infrastructure received a boost with the inauguration of the 4-laning of the 50-kilometer Sethiyathope–Cholapuram stretch on NH-36, completed at ₹2,350 crore, and the 6-laning of the NH-138 Tuticorin Port Road, built at around ₹200 crore. He also inaugurated the North Cargo Berth–III at VO Chidambaranar Port, which has a cargo handling capacity of 6.96 million metric tonnes per annum and was developed at ₹285 crore.
Prime Minister Modi’s address was also rich with references to the region’s freedom fighters and historical figures, such as VO Chidambaram Pillai, king Veerapandia Kattabomman, and Chieftain Veeran Azhagu Muthukon, invoking a sense of pride and cultural heritage among the local people. The event was attended by Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, Union Ministers K Rammohan Naidu and L Murugan, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu, Social Welfare Minister P Geetha Jeevan, Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi, and various top officials. In a gesture of goodwill, the Prime Minister was presented with a replica of the iconic Valluvar Kottam in Chennai, underscoring the state's cultural richness and its contributions to India’s heritage.
