Union Home Minister Amit Shah is chairing the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council, bringing together leaders from the five southern states to discuss interstate disputes, Centre-state relations and regional cooperation.

Ahead of the meeting, Amit Shah met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in Chennai. The meeting comes amid several contentious issues between southern states, including the Cauvery water-sharing dispute and the proposed Mekedatu dam project involving Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The Southern Zonal Council includes Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, along with the Union Territories of Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

Amit Shah Meets Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Ahead Of Southern Zonal Council Meet

A fresh protest has erupted in Tamil Nadu over the long-running Cauvery water dispute with Karnataka. Farmers buried themselves in sand along the Cauvery river, demanding the timely release of water for agriculture and livelihoods. The protesters accuse Karnataka of releasing only surplus water, while Karnataka argues that low rainfall and poor reservoir levels have limited water availability. The decades-old water-sharing dispute between the two southern states continues to fuel political tensions and farmer protests.

Tamil Nadu Farmers Bury Themselves In Sand Over Cauvery Water Dispute With Karnataka

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is set to meet Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for crucial talks on the long-running Cauvery River water-sharing dispute. The meeting is expected to focus on the controversial Mekedatu Dam project, water releases, and finding a mutually acceptable solution amid renewed tensions between the two southern states.

Cauvery Water Dispute: CM Vijay to hold crucial talks with Karnataka over Mekedatu Dam