Vijay’s investment trip to London: AIADMK jabs: “Why travel to UK for MoU with Noida-based company?” | Today’s news

AIADMK hits out at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay over his visit to London to attract investment, questioning the need for such a foreign trip at taxpayer expense.

The party pointed out that a company founded in India in 1986 and headquartered in Noida was among the businesses involved, raising questions about the rationale behind Vijay’s trip to the UK to promote the investment.

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“A company founded in India in 1986, Noida-headquartered Vijay is traveling all the way to the UK on taxpayers’ money to attract investment,” AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan said in a post on X.

CM Vijay’s high-profile UK itinerary, which included a visit to the Silverstone motor circuit in England where he met actor and racing driver Ajit Kumar, drew sharp criticism from opposition parties who questioned whether the trip was primarily aimed at securing investment for the state.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami also took a dig at Vijay’s visit to the UK on Sunday. Palaniswami said while the government projected it as an effort to attract investment, photos from the trip told a different story. At the engagement of an AIADMK functionary in Trichy, Palaniswami indirectly referred to photographs of Vijay giving up a motor race at Silverstone.

“It was believed to bring investment and improve the state’s economy. But the photos published in today’s newspapers tell a different story. Judge for yourself what they represent,” he said.

On Monday, Vijay highlighted the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in London between Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd and Guidance, Tamil Nadu, for an investment of approx ₹11,000 crore in the state.

“Today (14/09/2026) in London, England, Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd., along with its European and UK joint venture companies, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Guidance, Tamil Nadu, for an investment of approximately Rs.11,000 crore in Tamil Nadu. This investment will create ,000 jobs, including manufacturing opportunities, for the design, assembly and manufacturing of approximately 7 logistics facilities,” Vijay said in post on X.

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The MoU was signed and exchanged by Barry Painter, Global Head of Marketing and Communications, Samvardhana Motherson International Groupand Deepak Jacob, IAS, Executive Director, Guidance, Nodal Agency, Government of Tamil Nadu.

Vijay is currently on a week-long visit to the UK as part of an overseas program aimed at attracting investment and expanding partnerships in sectors including advanced manufacturing, electric vehicles, electronics and Global Centers of Competence.

The investment is worth it ₹12,300 million crowns

The investment trip to the UK saw the country’s delegation sign several MoUs spanning over 100 years of investment ₹12,300 crore in London, news agency PTI reported.

Investments aimed at positioning Tamil Nadu as Asia premier an advanced manufacturing and technology hub, it is expected to create more than 9,400 high-value jobs across the state.

Investment pressure has also extended to the digital infrastructure, technical consultancy and heavy equipment sectors. Ernst & Young, a professional services firm, committed ₹1,000 crore to set up a Global Capability Center in Tamil Nadu, which is expected to create more than 2,000 high-value corporate jobs, the news agency said.

Sigma Technology Groupa Swedish technology firm, has signed deals to expand its digital services and engineering operations in the state.

Industries Minister S Keerthana said that Tamil Nadu is attracting investment on a large scale under the leadership of CM Vijay.

“The Hon’ble Prime Minister’s visit to London secured strong investment commitments across manufacturing, technology and Global Capability Centres. ₹11,000 crore investment commitment from Samvardhana Motherson International will create around 7,000 jobs in design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly and logistics,” she said.

“The ₹1,000 crore investment by EY to set up Global Capability Center in Tamil Nadu will create more than 2,000 high-value jobs. Sigma Technology Group is expanding its presence in Tamil Nadu and further strengthening our state’s position as a destination for technology and digital services,” she said.

“More investment. More jobs. More opportunities. Every investment strengthens our economy. Every job strengthens a family. Every new capability strengthens Tamil Nadu,” Keerthana said in a post on X.

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The state government has assured to provide all necessary support and cooperation to facilitate the proposed investment and to successfully establish the company’s operations in Tamil Nadu, a government statement said.

Ashok Leyland Managing Director Dheeraj Hinduja, Executive Chairman Finolex Industries Ltd Prakash P Chhabria and director Ritu Prakash Chhabria addressed CM Vijay on Monday.

Hinduja Group Investments

During the meeting, Hinduja briefed the Chief Minister about the progress of Hinduja Group’s investments in Tamil Nadu and the steps taken under the MoU. ₹2,500 crore signed during the Vettri Tamil Nadu Investor Conclave in Chennai in August.

The delegation expressed its determination to continue investing and expanding its business in Tamil Nadu and expressed interest in further increasing investment in the renewable energy sector, particularly in the wind sector.

The meeting also discussed ways to increase exports of commercial vehicles manufactured in Tamil Nadu and strengthen Tamil Nadu’s role as an export hub for the automotive industry, the report said.

Founded in India in 1986, headquartered in Noida, Vijay travels all the way to the UK on taxpayers’ money to attract investment.

The event was attended by India’s Ambassador to the UK, Kumaran Periyasamy, Minister for the Economy, HCI London and Chief India UK FTA Negotiator Nidhi Mani Tripathi and senior officials of the Government of Tamil Nadu.