Despite water disputes with its neighbours Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu has shared cordial relations with them and people from other States have never faced any problem here, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said on Monday.
“Tamil Nadu has the heart to welcome people of other States and allow them thrive here. Persons from other States have never faced any problem here,” he said greeting Telugu and Kannada speaking people on the eve of Ugadi.
He said Tamils believed in universal brotherhood.
While the “statue diplomacy” with Karnataka last year had “greatly” helped in ensuring better ties with the State, Krishna water being supplied from Andhra Pradesh was strengthening ties with that State, Mr. Karunanidhi said.
Tamil Nadu is locked in a dispute with Karnataka over sharing of Cauvery waters while Andhra Pradesh’s proposal to construct a dam across Palar river is being resented by the State.
The participation of Chief Minsters, B. S. Yeddyurappa (Karnataka) and K. Rosiah (Andhra Pradesh) in the function to inaugurate new Tamil Nadu Assembly on Saturday had helped in ensuring “new dimension” to ties, he said.
“I wish these (cordial) ties and relations between southern States grow,” he said.
