Tamil Nadu and Kerala have launched a formal partnership to work together in areas such as economy, tourism, startups, technology and digital governance. After an informal meeting in Delhi earlier on the sidelines of the Udyog Samagam, the industries ministers of the two states TRB Raja and P Rajeev met in Chennai to discuss the actual plans.

The two ministers praised Chief Ministers MK Stalin and Pinarayi Vijayan for promoting inter-state cooperation. They said cooperation, not competition, would help both the states achieve strong industrial and economic outcomes. More than five key sectors, including public sector undertakings, have been identified for joint development.

The states will now prepare a detailed master plan for this partnership, focusing on innovation, expanded production and shared economic growth. Kerala will host the next meeting in January.