Vijayan’s Middle East tour underwent a revision after the Ministry of External Affairs declined permission for his planned visit to Saudi Arabia….reports Asian Lite News
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan arrived in Bahrain, marking the start of his Gulf tour aimed at strengthening ties with the Malayali diaspora and highlighting welfare initiatives for non-resident Keralites (NRKs). He departed from Thiruvananthapuram on the night of October 15 via Gulf Air.
On October 17, Vijayan is scheduled to attend a public event organised by the Bahrain Kerala Samajam, where he will present Kerala’s NRK welfare schemes and seek expatriate support for the State’s development. Representatives from Lok Kerala Sabha, Norka Roots, and the Malayalam Mission are also expected to attend.
Vijayan’s Middle East tour underwent a revision after the Ministry of External Affairs declined permission for his planned visit to Saudi Arabia. The updated itinerary now covers Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE. Accompanied by Fisheries and Culture Minister Saji Cherian, the Chief Minister will begin the tour in Bahrain and is expected to return to Kerala twice before it concludes on December 1.
Cherian said that programmes in each country will focus on promoting the Malayalam language and engaging with the large expatriate Malayali community.
However, the trip has drawn criticism from the opposition. The Congress-led UDF alleged that Vijayan’s frequent overseas visits since 2016 — more than two dozen trips across multiple countries, including the UK, US, Europe, and the Gulf — have produced little tangible investment.
The MEA’s refusal to clear the Saudi Arabia visit has caused minor adjustments to the schedule. Meanwhile, speculation continues over whether Vijayan’s family — including his wife, daughter, and grandson — will join the delegation, as reportedly occurred on previous foreign trips.
Officially framed as a cultural and diaspora outreach mission, the tour is expected to be closely watched politically and publicly.
