Chief Minister MK Stalin of Tamil Nadu embarked on his fifth foreign trip during his current term, this time visiting Germany and the United Kingdom from 30 August to 8 September 2025. The objective, as stated by the state government, was to boost foreign investments and drive Tamil Nadu’s economy closer to its target of becoming a $1 trillion economy by the year 2030.
However, while the ruling DMK often highlights these foreign tours as landmark efforts in investment promotion, skepticism surrounds the actual outcomes of the signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), which are frequently celebrated without substantial evidence of implementation. Furthermore, the Chief Minister refused to release a white paper, asserting that such disclosures were not customary practice. Critics argue that despite claims of attracting investments worth thousands of crores, many of these deals have not materialized on the ground, and the government has yet to release a white paper detailing the tangible results of these agreements.
United Arab Emirates (Dubai Expo), March 2022
The first such foreign visit under Stalin’s leadership was to the United Arab Emirates for the Dubai Expo in March 2022. The trip, which took place from 24 to 28 March, was officially intended to secure investment opportunities for Tamil Nadu. The government claimed to have signed MoUs worth ₹6,100 crore, with an expectation of creating around 15,100 jobs. However, independent assessments suggest that the actual figures may have been lower, with investments likely in the range of ₹3,660 to ₹4,270 crore and job creation between 9,000 and 10,500. Furthermore, a Right to Information (RTI) inquiry revealed that approximately ₹7.12 crore has been spent so far on the Chief Minister’s foreign trips since he assumed office in May 2021. Interestingly, the administration refused to disclose the cost details specifically related to the Dubai visit, raising concerns over transparency. RTI activist M. Kasimayan publicly accused the government of misusing public funds, an allegation that quickly drew criticism from opposition parties and civil society alike.
Further fueling the controversy, it was reported that while the official delegation to Dubai comprised 11 members including Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu, CM’s secretary T. Udhayachandran IAS, and personal secretary Dinesh Kumar the actual travel group exceeded 20 individuals. Allegedly, Stalin’s wife, son Udhayanidhi Stalin (who was later inducted into the Cabinet), and daughter-in-law also accompanied him, giving the opposition reason to label the trip as a “family vacation” sponsored by the state.
Singapore & Japan, May 2023
In May 2023, Stalin visited Singapore and Japan, promoting technological partnerships and business collaboration. Although the trip was projected to generate over 2,000 jobs from MoUs totaling ₹1,342 crore, the impact was limited, as most of the interested investors were already operating within Tamil Nadu. For example, Hi-P International Pvt Ltd pledged ₹312 crore for an electronics manufacturing unit, expected to employ 700 people. Discussions were also held with prominent industry leaders from Temasek, Sembcorp, and CapitaLand regarding expansions into sectors like renewable energy, logistics, food processing, and fisheries. However, many of these prospects have yet to translate into actual projects.
Spain, Early 2024
In early 2024, Stalin’s tour of Spain reportedly secured MoUs valued at ₹3,440 crore. However, specific data regarding job creation from this visit remains unavailable. Questions also arose about the timing of the visit, given Spain’s own economic slowdown post-pandemic. Economic forecasts indicated a drop in GDP growth from 5.8% in 2022 to a projected 1.4% in the following year casting doubts on the feasibility of attracting substantial investments from the country.
As with the earlier Dubai trip, reports indicate that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was once again accompanied by his wife, Durgavathy Stalin, along with his personal secretary Dinesh Kumar and security personnel Selvaraju and Nitin John. Also part of the delegation were Industries Minister TRB Rajaa, his personal assistant Ayyappan, an individual named Shreyas, and a senior representative from the Industries Department. The list of officials included Umanath IAS (Chief Minister’s personal secretary), Senthilvelan IPS, Inspector Vivekanandhan, Balaganesan from the Core Cell of Tamil Nadu, and Vishnu IAS, who currently serves as the Managing Director and CEO of Guidance Tamil Nadu.
United States, August–September 2024
A more high-profile visit followed in August and September 2024, when Stalin toured the United States. During this trip, he met with major corporations, including tech giants Google and Apple. The DMK claimed that the visit yielded 19 MoUs worth ₹7,618 crore, expected to generate over 11,500 jobs across various districts in Tamil Nadu such as Tiruchy, Madurai, Coimbatore, Chennai, and Krishnagiri. These deals were signed in San Francisco and Chicago and involved representatives from 18 Fortune 500 companies.
Yet, while the DMK celebrated these agreements as a major diplomatic success, critics pointed to Maharashtra’s example. That state secured ₹1.2 lakh crore in investments 16 times more than Tamil Nadu without undertaking any such foreign tours. This contrast raised questions about the effectiveness and necessity of international travel for investment promotion.
Adding to the skepticism were concerns over the composition of Stalin’s entourage. Reports circulating on social media listed not just government officials like Industries Minister TRB Rajaa and bureaucrats such as Vishnu IAS (CEO of Guidance Tamil Nadu), but also family members including his wife and personal staff. This again sparked debate over whether the trips were entirely professional in nature or served dual purposes.
Germany & United Kingdom (TN Rising Europe Tour), Late August – Early September 2025
The most recent foreign mission, named the “TN Rising Europe Tour,” took place between 30 August and 8 September 2025, and included Germany and the UK. In Germany, Tamil Nadu signed 26 MoUs worth ₹7,020 crore, projecting the creation of over 15,000 jobs. Notable companies included Knorr-Bremse, investing ₹2,000 crore for railway component manufacturing, Nordex Group with ₹1,000 crore for wind turbines, and ebm-papst planning a ₹201 crore expansion of its operations. However, these firms already have a presence in the state, raising concerns about the necessity of the Chief Minister’s overseas involvement in deals that might have progressed without such high-level political visits.
In the UK leg of the trip, Stalin presided over the signing of six MoUs across sectors like defense, aerospace, renewable energy, and textile technology. Key deals included a ₹520 crore investment from Britannia RFID and collaborations with institutions like the University of Exeter and Lloyd’s List Intelligence. Stalin also used the visit for cultural diplomacy, unveiling a portrait of social reformer Periyar at Oxford University. While the symbolism was appreciated in some quarters, others viewed it as theatrical rather than substantive.
Last Word
Despite the tall claims and elaborate ceremonies accompanying each visit, the DMK-led government has consistently avoided publishing a comprehensive white paper detailing the real outcomes of these tours. Critics argue that without verified data on how many investments have been realized, these trips remain largely performative. The repeated emphasis on signing MoUs many with existing investors without concrete follow-through, has led some to dismiss these international engagements as more spectacle than strategy.
In conclusion, while Chief Minister Stalin’s foreign tours have been marketed as bold steps in economic diplomacy, questions about their cost-effectiveness, transparency, and actual outcomes continue to cloud the narrative. Until a full accounting is made public, the gap between promise and delivery remains a matter of concern for both the electorate and Tamil Nadu’s economic future.
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