Chennai, 20 August (H.S.): Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Thursday held a “key interaction” with his Tamil Nadu counterpart C. Joseph Vijay on the sidelines of the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting at Mahabalipuram near Chennai.

Satheesan shared photographs of the meeting on platform X. Keralam Industries and Information Technology Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty was also present during the discussion.

“On the sidelines of the Southern Zonal Council meeting in Mahabalipuram, Chennai, had a key interaction with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay,” Satheesan wrote. He did not disclose the subjects discussed by the two leaders.

The interaction assumed significance as Tamil Nadu and Keralam share several matters of common interest, including interstate water management, transport connectivity, trade, environmental protection and coordination along their border. Water-sharing questions involving the two States are among the issues that periodically require dialogue and cooperation.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened the council meeting, bringing together the Chief Ministers and officials of southern States and Union Territories to deliberate on important interstate and national matters.

The Southern Zonal Council comprises Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, along with the Union Territories of Puducherry, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.

According to the Union Government, zonal councils provide an institutional forum for resolving disputes and strengthening coordination between the Centre and member States and Union Territories. They also facilitate discussions on security, infrastructure, economic development and other matters affecting more than one State.

Several long-pending river-water disputes remain important regional concerns. These include issues involving Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu and Keralam. The meeting was expected to encourage dialogue on such differences while promoting closer administrative and developmental cooperation across southern India.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman