NEW DELHI: Even after independence from Britain in 1948, Sri Lanka is a country that has not been able to get rid of its various economic problems. India has always viewed Sri Lanka with caution, as it could be used by China, which is eager to swallow Asia whole, as a base. India has on several occasions been ready to help Sri Lanka, which has fallen into the trap of China and is economically ruined.

A new weapon is being prepared against China, which has awaited opportunities to encircle India at sea level. Gautam Adani, the billionaire, is setting the stage for it. Adani has long been known as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'fuel source'. Adani has received the benefits in different forms at various stages, but that's a story for another day.

If asked how Modi is shaping Adani against China, the answer is development. Adani has already started plans to invest heavily in Sri Lanka. He is well aware that the Sinhalese will welcome anyone willing to build their economic base. Especially when it comes from diplomatically loyal India, it is doubly happy for Lanka.

Adani's move is to set up power plants at Pooneryn in northern Sri Lanka. With assets of $137 billion, most of Adani's investments are in India. But Adani Group aims to expand its business empire to island nations including Sri Lanka. Modi also aims to leverage Adani's influence in ports, coal mines, power generation and distribution against China.

Adani held a meeting with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Gotabaya Rajapakse and President Mahinda Rajapakse in October 2021 as a first step in the negotiations. This followed the $750 million Colombo Port deal. A $70 billion green energy project has also been envisaged.

Privileged to meet President @GotabayaR and PM @PresRajapaksa. In addition to developing Colombo Port's Western Container Terminal, the Adani Group will explore other infrastructure partnerships. India's strong bonds with Sri Lanka are anchored to centuries’ old historic ties. pic.twitter.com/noq8A1aLAv

— Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) October 26, 2021

It should be added that Rajapaksa welcomed Adani's projects with open arms after he was ready to abandon the Chinese government's solar power project due to India's displeasure. Adani has started 500 MW power generation projects in Pooneryn and Mannar in early 2022.

India has already decided to arm Sri Lanka to counter China's moves against Pakistan. But the opposition in Lanka has no great affection for Adani. They described Adani's entry as a 'backdoor entry'. The opposition sneers that the Rajapaksa government is over-coddling Narendra Modi's notorious friend. Their slogan is that Modi and Adani should stop exploiting their crisis.

Prime Minister Modi's goals are many. The most important aim is to contain the challenge of China. For Modi, a foothold in Colombo's new port is key. Modi's interest in building a port terminal as an alternative to China's port project is politically significant. As mentioned earlier, Modi is using the 'fuel' Adani to make it possible.