Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala on Friday, with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Thiruvananthapuram Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in attendance. Shortly after launching the port’s first phase, PM Modi used the moment to take a jab at the Congress party, referencing the presence of two prominent INDIA bloc leaders at the event.

“I want to tell CM, you are a strong pillar of the INDI alliance, Shashi Tharoor is also sitting here. Today’s event is going to disturb the sleep of many,” PM Modi remarked.

Tharoor has recently been at the center of internal friction within the Congress’s Kerala unit. Just two days before the event, the four-time MP posted on social media that he had “managed to land in time” to receive PM Modi, despite delays at the “dysfunctional” Delhi airport.

A photo he shared on X showed him greeting the Prime Minister at Thiruvananthapuram airport, with CM Vijayan standing nearby. Tharoor expressed enthusiasm about the commissioning of the port, describing it as a project he has been “proudly” involved in from the beginning.

“Despite delays at the dysfunctional Delhi airport, I managed to land in Thiruvananthapuram in time to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in my constituency. Looking forward to his officially commissioning Vizhinjam port, a project I have been proud to have been involved with since its inception,” he said.

Tharoor had also drawn attention earlier this year for commending Kerala’s start-up boom—remarks that unsettled the Congress in the state, especially as Assembly elections loom. He later clarified that his praise was aimed at the state’s entrepreneurial progress, not the CPM-led government.

This isn’t the first time Tharoor has acknowledged the central government’s actions. He has previously lauded the Modi administration’s handling of the Ukraine conflict and its diplomatic engagement with former US President Donald Trump.

About Vizhinjam International Seaport
The Vizhinjam International Seaport, located in Thiruvananthapuram district, was completed at an estimated cost of ₹8,867 crore. Developed under a public-private partnership by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), the port is expected to significantly enhance India’s presence in global maritime trade.

Following a successful trial, it received commercial commissioning certification on December 4 last year.

Highlighting the port’s strategic importance, PM Modi said:
“The people of Kerala know how, over the past 10 years, through our efforts, there has been rapid development not only in the state’s port infrastructure but also in the highways, railways, and airports.”

“Until now, 75% of India’s transshipment was handled by foreign ports, leading to a significant revenue loss for the country. Now, that money will benefit our own nation,” he added.