“Welfare of our people abroad will always be our top priority”, says Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

MUSCAT: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan received a rousing reception from thousands of expatriates at the Indian Community Festival in Al Amerat on Friday, where he reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and empowerment of Keralites across the world.

“The welfare of our people living abroad will always be our top priority,” Vijayan said, addressing a packed audience of Indian expatriates. “Keralites have contributed immensely to the growth and goodwill of both Kerala and Oman, and it is our duty to ensure their well-being, dignity, and continued connection with their homeland.”

The Chief Minister emphasized that the state continues to strengthen support programs for non-resident Keralites, including rehabilitation initiatives, investment facilitation, and comprehensive social security schemes.

Highlighting the government’s flagship global initiative, the Loka Kerala Sabha, Vijayan said the platform was designed to “bring the diaspora closer to Kerala’s development story” and to give every Malayali abroad a voice in shaping the state’s future. “The Loka Kerala Sabha is more than a forum—it is a bridge that connects the dreams of our global community with Kerala’s progress,” he noted.

Vijayan also commended the enduring ties between Oman and Kerala, describing them as a relationship built on “mutual respect, trust, and shared prosperity.” He expressed gratitude to the Omani leadership for providing an inclusive environment that enables the Indian community to thrive and contribute to the Sultanate’s growth.

The visit marks the first by a Kerala Chief Minister to Oman in 26 years—since the late E.K. Nayanar’s 1999 trip—underscoring the importance Vijayan’s administration places on engaging with the diaspora and deepening cultural and economic cooperation with the Sultanate.