NewKerala.com

Key Points

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan embarks on a multi-country Middle East tour starting Tuesday, with stops in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and UAE. The tour comes amid controversy over his son's ED summons and criticism from the opposition about the effectiveness of his foreign trips. Accompanied by Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian, Vijayan will focus on cultural outreach and engaging with the Malayali expatriate community. The tour, which runs until December 1, is expected to be politically significant given recent legal and personal developments.

Key Points: Vijayan's Gulf Tour Begins Amid ED Controversy and Saudi Snub

  • Vijayan's multi-country Middle East tour starts Tuesday
  • Tour excludes Saudi Arabia after MEA permission denial
  • Trip aims to engage with Malayali expatriate community
  • Opposition criticizes frequent foreign travels by CM
2 min read

CM Vijayan's marathon Middle East tour begins Tuesday, Saudi Arabia struck off itinerary

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan launches Middle East tour, skipping Saudi Arabia, amid political scrutiny and diaspora engagement

"Programmes in each country will focus on promoting Malayalam language - Saji Cherian, Fisheries Minister"

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 13

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's upcoming Middle East tour has undergone a change after the Ministry of External Affairs declined permission for his visit to Saudi Arabia.

The revised schedule will now include Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE. Vijayan, accompanied by Fisheries and Culture Minister Saji Cherian, will begin the tour on Tuesday with the first stop in Bahrain.

During the multi-country trip, Vijayan is expected to return to Kerala twice before the tour concludes on December 1.

Cherian told IANS that programmes in each country will focus on promoting the Malayalam language and engaging with the large expatriate Malayali community.

However, the Chief Minister's foreign travel has once again drawn criticism from the opposition.

The Congress-led UDF has alleged that Vijayan's frequent overseas visits since 2016 -- over two dozen trips to as many countries -- have failed to yield any tangible investment outcomes.

The list of countries previously visited by the CM includes the UK, the US, several European nations, and multiple visits to the Gulf.

This year's UAE leg is expected to attract particular scrutiny. It coincides with renewed attention on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons issued in 2023 to his son, Vivek Kiran Vijayan.

Incidentally, his son works in a multinational bank in the UAE.

The summons, which surfaced over the weekend, is linked to the SNC Lavalin case now pending before the Supreme Court, in which the Chief Minister is also named.

The denial of clearance for the Saudi Arabia leg is expected to cause minor adjustments to the schedule.

Meanwhile, speculation is rife over whether family members -- including the Chief Minister's wife, daughter, and grandson -- will join the delegation, as has reportedly happened during previous foreign trips.

The tour, officially aimed at cultural outreach and diaspora engagement, is likely to be closely watched both politically and publicly.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As a Malayali living in Dubai, I appreciate CM's efforts to connect with the diaspora. We feel valued when our leaders visit. But the timing with his son's ED case does raise questions. Hope this trip actually benefits Kerala's development.
S
Sarah B
Interesting that Saudi Arabia was struck off the itinerary. The MEA must have valid reasons. Foreign policy is complex, and sometimes state leaders need to understand that national interests come first.
A
Arjun K
Promoting Malayalam language in Gulf countries is a good initiative. Our language and culture need preservation abroad. But the CM should also focus on bringing concrete job opportunities and investments back home.
M
Michael C
The family travel angle is concerning. If true, this raises serious questions about using public funds for personal travel. There should be complete transparency about who is traveling and who is paying for it.
K
Kavya N
Two months of foreign travel while Kerala faces so many domestic challenges? The CM should prioritize solving local issues first. Our fishermen and farmers need immediate attention, not more foreign tours. 🙏
V
Vikram M
Let's be fair - engaging with the large Malayali community in Gulf countries is important. They contribute significantly to Kerala's economy through remittances. But the outcomes should be measurable

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50