Political undercurrents mark Vizhinjam port inauguration by PM Modi

Vizhinjam International Seaport commissioning by PM Modi marked by political undertones, highlighting private-government partnership and state contributions.

The official commissioning of the Vizhinjam International Seaport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (May 2, 2025) appeared punctuated with national and provincial politics. 

Mr. Modi, who dedicated the facility to the nation, seemed to take an oblique dig at the Congress’ national leadership by observing that two prominent INDIA bloc leaders – Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Shashi Tharoor, MP, – shared the high-profile stage with him.

“It might make some quarters uncomfortable,” Mr. Modi quipped. The Prime Minister also joked about the translator missing the political punchline.

Mr. Modi also satirically seized on State Fisheries Minister V.N. Vasavan’s words for political point-scoring. Mr. Vasavan said the Kerala government had “found a partner” in Adani Ports to make Vizhinjam a reality.

Mr. Modi said he saw some novelty in a Communist government reckoning a private sector entity as a reliable partner in a flagship infrastructure development project. “Private-government partnership is crucial to the country’s development”, he noted. 

Mr. Modi appeared to have used the moment to indirectly dispel Congress’ criticism that the Central government favoured the Adani Group. 

Mr. Modi commenced his speech by stating he was “fortunate to step on Padmanabhan’s land”, referring to the landmark Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram.