Editor's Pick: India-fuelled power projects replace Chinese ventures in Sri Lanka

India will set up hybrid power projects in three islands off Jaffna, effectively replacing the Chinese venture cleared by Colombo last year. The MoU for the project was among those signed during a meeting between visiting External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and his Sri Lankan counterpart G. L. Peiris late on Monday. It is the third energy project coming up in Sri Lanka’s north and east, after the recent agreements for National Thermal Power Corporation’s (NTPC) solar venture in the eastern Sampur town, and the Adani Group’s renewable energy projects in Mannar and Pooneryn in the north. In January 2021, Sri Lanka’s Cabinet decided to award renewable energy projects in Nainativu, Delft or Neduntheevu, and Analaitivu islands to Chinese firm Sinosoar-Etechwin. India was quick to express concern over the Chinese project, too close to its comfort and offered to execute the same with a grant rather than a loan. Unable to pick a side, Colombo kept the project in suspension inviting criticism from China. Meanwhile, India and Sri Lanka have also agreed to set up a Maritime Rescue Coordination Center. On developments in regard to Sri Lanka’s long-pending Tamil question, India has welcomed the recent talks between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the largest grouping of legislators elected from the north and the east. As Sri Lanka copes with a debilitating economic crisis and given the context of a power play in the region, it is not lost on anyone that China is a huge investor in the island nation and also the fourth biggest lender. Recent reports have even suggested that China is likely to extend $ 2.5 billion credit support to Sri Lanka. In this context, the news of Indian power projects replacing Chinese ventures is on the front page of the newspaper, as it signifies a win after a period of uncertainty. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor‘s Pick and more. Click here The Hindu’s Editorials Without sufficient cause: On arrests at the behest of majoritarian outfits Centralising tests: On common entrance exams and merit The Hindu’s Daily Quiz While the movie ‘CODA’ won the Best Picture Award, Which film won the highest number of awards in the 94th Academy Awards or Oscars 2022? Dune King Richard Belfast The Power of the Dog To find out the answer and play the full quiz, click here [logo] Editor's Pick 30 MARCH 2022 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [Arrow]( [Open in browser]( [Mail icon]( [More newsletters]( India-fuelled power projects replace Chinese ventures in Sri Lanka [India will set up hybrid power projects]( in three islands off Jaffna, effectively replacing the Chinese venture cleared by Colombo last year. The MoU for the project was among those signed during a meeting between visiting External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and his Sri Lankan counterpart G. L. Peiris late on Monday. It is the third energy project coming up in Sri Lanka’s north and east, after the recent agreements for [National Thermal Power Corporation’s (NTPC) solar venture in the eastern Sampur town]( and the [Adani Group’s renewable energy projects]( in Mannar and Pooneryn in the north. In January 2021, Sri Lanka’s Cabinet decided to award renewable energy projects in Nainativu, Delft or Neduntheevu, and Analaitivu islands to Chinese firm Sinosoar-Etechwin. India was quick to express concern over the Chinese project, too close to its comfort and offered to execute the same with a grant rather than a loan. Unable to pick a side, Colombo kept the project in suspension inviting criticism from China. Meanwhile, India and Sri Lanka have also agreed to set up a Maritime Rescue Coordination Center. On developments in regard to Sri Lanka’s long-pending Tamil question, India has welcomed the recent talks between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the largest grouping of legislators elected from the north and the east. As [Sri Lanka copes with a debilitating economic crisis]( and given the context of a power play in the region, it is not lost on anyone that China is a huge investor in the island nation and also the fourth biggest lender. Recent reports have even suggested that China is likely to extend $ 2.5 billion credit support to Sri Lanka. In this context, the news of Indian power projects replacing Chinese ventures is on the front page of the newspaper, as it signifies a win after a period of uncertainty. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor‘s Pick and more.  [Click here]( The Hindu’s Editorials [Arrow][Without sufficient cause: On arrests at the behest of majoritarian outfits]( [Arrow][Centralising tests: On common entrance exams and merit](  The Hindu’s Daily Quiz While the movie ‘CODA’ won the Best Picture Award, Which film won the highest number of awards in the 94th Academy Awards or Oscars 2022? - Dune - King Richard - Belfast - The Power of the Dog To find out the answer and play the full quiz, [click here]( Today’s Best Reads [[Kaziranga rhino population increases by 200] Kaziranga rhino population increases by 200]( [[Taxing issue in buying over ₹2 lakh bike by paying coins] Taxing issue in buying over ₹2 lakh bike by paying coins]( [[Moscow insists on payment in rouble for gas deliveries] Moscow insists on payment in rouble for gas deliveries]( [[Environment or other rights: Supreme Court differs in 4 days] Environment or other rights: Supreme Court differs in 4 days]( Copyright @ 2022, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. 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