When contacted, however, Kumaramangalam said he was not aware of the specifics, but said that no reason had been given for turning down his request. As per convention, he had asked for the PM's permission to attend the conference, but this had been turned down, a few days ago, without any reason being given.

In the event, none of the six people who were to accompany Kumaramangalam -- the Special Secretary, a Joint Secretary, and officials from NTPC and Powergrid -- will be going either. The ministry's presentation is now to be given by the representative of thePower Finance Corporation who has gone instead, but it is an open question as to whether investors will pay the kind of attention they would have to a star-studded delegation.

According to experts who have attended this conference in the past, it is usually held just prior to the World Bank meeting, and is used as a fora for creating pressure for power sector loans as well. So, while wooing investors, a case is usually made for how large amounts of concessional money is required for revamping the state electricity boards as well -- this money is usually provided by agencies such as the World Bank. The conference is usually attended by all well-known corporates in the sector, and is akin to the investors meet at Davos as far as the power sector is concerned.

What is intriguing is that such a decision to stop a high-profile delegation should be taken at a time when the US itself is engaged in an exercise to try and lift the economic sanctions, and when the World Bank is also trying its best to find ways tosanction power loans to India despite the sanctions.