Extracts from the editorial Friday of The Hindu, which has hisotircally been a vocal supporter of President Rajapaksa’s regime and its predecessors:

“The wording of the resolution was tweaked by India to say the implementation assistance the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights will provide must be with Sri Lanka's 'concurrence'.

“Yet, Colombo must not misread this concession.

“Thursday's resolution is the first real sign that the world will no more let itself be guided solely by Sri Lankan claims that it has the will to carry out its own probe.

“It also means that gentle prodding and quiet diplomacy will not be the main means the world will adopt towards [Sri Lanka].

“President Rajapaksa may not like the Geneva resolution but he has brought it upon himself.

“For the first time in decades, New Delhi is in concord with popular sentiments in Tamil Nadu but it would be wrong to look at its Geneva vote as merely the product of domestic political pressure.

“Over time, the false assurances on devolution and implementation of “the 13th amendment and beyond” it received from Colombo have frustrated South Block and forced it to reconsider its diplomatic options.

“What is welcome in India's latest stand is that it has outgrown its misplaced fear of the growing regional presence of China.

“Having voted for the resolution, the onus is now on India to remain engaged with the Lankan authorities, as its interests lie in promoting reconciliation and supporting the quest of Tamil Sri Lankans for justice, equality and dignity.

“India needs to brace for extraordinary diplomatic challenges ahead.”