New Delhi, Mar 5: India on Thursday condoled the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri conveying to the Iranian ambassador New Delhi’s message of sympathy.

Separately, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi but it is not immediately known what transpired in the talks.

Misri visited the Iranian embassy and signed the condolence book on behalf of the government of India.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also released photographs of the foreign secretary’s conversation with Iranian envoy to India Mohammad Fathali.

Khamenei was killed in an Israel-US strike on February 28. Though India called for resolution of the West Asia crisis through dialogue and diplomacy, it chose not to react to Khamenei’s killing.

Misri’s visit to the Iranian embassy and signing of the condolence book assumed significance as several opposition parties had criticised the government for not reacting to Khamenei’s death.

Lothal (Ahmedabad), Mar 5: India is building a Rs 4,500-crore National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal near Ahmedabad to showcase the country’s 5,000-year maritime legacy, linking the Harappan civilisation’s ancient dockyard with modern shipping history through a technologically driven museum and global-standard tourist destination.

The complex is being established at an estimated cost of around 4500 crores by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India and is spread over 400 acres of land adjacent to Lothal site of Harappan civilization in Lothal which is believed to be 5000 years old and was first dockyard built by man 5000 years ago and was also directly connected with Oman dockyard and was being used for global trading practices during Harappan civilization.

Prof Vashant Shinde, Advisor to NMHC told that the complex is in itself an engineering marvel and first of its kind unique world class destination where history and heritage converge in a manner never seen and never explored before.

He was interacting with journalists of Jammu and Punjab Haryana who were on visit of Gujarat during a tour organised by Press Information Bureau (PIB) Jammu in coordination with Press Information Bureau (PIB) Gujarat.

During interaction, Prof Shinder said that this is a technologically driven museum to attract visitors from across the globe and has a number of different components that include and iconic National Maritime Museum which will be built on fourteen themed galleries with each gallery narrating how India’s history has been shaped by generations of enterprising seafarers.

” These galleries will exhibit various artefacts, digital displays, films and artwork offering visitors a deep dive into India’s Maritime legacy.” he further said.

Prof Shinde, who heads this upcoming complex, further told that along with a world’s tallest lighthouse museum, the NMHC will also have Bagicha complex which will serve as the gateway for visitors in barking on their journey through India’s Maritime history.

Four dedicated Maritime Heritage based theme parks including maritime and naval theme park, the climate change theme park, the adventure and amusement theme park and the monuments theme park will give visitors and dreaming experience.

” NMHC aspires to be a global tourist destination that immerses visitors in the rich history of Indian Maritime Heritage and it offers a journey through the ages, from the living era of the Harappans to the modern day Indian Shipping providing a spectacular experiential delight.” they said.

Prof Shinde further added that an underwater theming with art work is also being established in this complex.

” The NMHC is an idea of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to tap the rich maritime history of India and establishment of this complex is going through a lot of dedicated efforts in which MOUs have also been signed with different countries of the world in order to get details from these countries about India’s Maritime history and also to get technology assistance of these nations.” he further said and informed that some of the galleries will be completed in next few months while the entire complex will be ready in next couple of years.

Temperature-controlled building to beat extreme heat

The main building of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) is an engineering marvel in itself as it is being built in temperature control aspects to ensure that the temperature inside the building remains average keeping in view the high temperature limits of Gujarat areas.

GM Marketing Head, Amit Rathore said that stone used in construction of main building have been brought from Jodhpur and are crafted in such a manner that only sequence assembling of stones as per basic design is possible and random assembly is not possible at all and this gives building a uniform look.

The walls of building are also having a different design with concrete layer in the middle and stone layers on both outer sides which will help maintaining and average temperature inside the complex.

NMHC to become first e-transport destination in India

National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) Lothal is not only going to be India’s maiden place to showcase rich maritime history of nation but is also going to be the first e-transport destination in India offering a seamless and sustainable experience.

Built with sustainable development methods as well as eco-friendly aspects, other than e-transport is not allowed in the complex.

Upon arrival, visitors will alight from their vehicles and transition into the complex using only eco-friendly modes of transportation.

These modes include boats moving on interconnected water channels inside the complex, electric buggies, personal mobility electric bikes and segways.

World’s tallest lighthouse museum to rise at NMHC

The world’s tallest lighthouse museum is also being built at NMHC which will rise to an interesting height of over 75 meters. This monumental structure will feature a viewing gallery offering visitors a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire NMHC and it’s surroundings.

The visitor experience will be thoughtfully curated to highlight the rich history of Indian lighthouse and the expansive coastline that has shaped India’s Maritime Heritage.

Decommissioned naval aircraft, warship to greet visitors

Two main decommissioned defence vehicles of India are also being showcased at main entry of NMHC to highlight India’s defence capabilities.

These include IL 38 aircraft, INS Nishank which remained part of India’s defence strength including during Kargil war.

Replica Harappan city to recreate 5,000-year-old lifestyle

Another main centre of attraction in NMHC will be an ancient city Lothal being built on the lines of Lothal site of Harappan civilization which is located near the complex and it base lines for it.

The city will be constructed completely on ancient lines with all the structures will be of Harappan civilization model and the human resource present in it will be living a lifestyle of 5000 years ago.

Not only this, use of today’s currency inside this ancient city is also prohibited and the visitors will only be allowed to use barter system of trade as was done during Harappan civilization period.

New Delhi, Mar 05: With West Asia on the brink of a wider regional war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for a “swift end” to the escalating confrontation in the region saying no issue can be resolved solely through military conflict.

Modi’s remarks following his wide-ranging talks with Finnish President Alexander Stubb came as the United States and Israel’s war with Iran entered the sixth day with both sides launching fresh strikes, significantly heightening tensions across the region.

Stubb strongly backed India’s bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, arguing that it is of “utmost importance” along with larger reform of the global multilateral system to reflect the current geopolitical realities.

Following the Modi-Stubb talks, the two sides elevated their bilateral relations to “Strategic Partnership” in digitalisation and sustainability and vowed to double annual bilateral trade by 2030.

India and Finland also signed three agreements including one on migration and mobility that will facilitate mobility of Indian talents to the European nation.

In his media statement, Modi said the India-Finland strategic partnership in the digitalisation and sustainability will energise cooperation in many high-technology areas including AI, 6G telecom, clean energy and quantum computing.

The two sides also agreed to deepen cooperation in key sectors such as defence, space, semiconductors, and critical minerals.

The crisis in West Asia figured prominently in the Modi-Stubb talks.

“India and Finland both believe in the rule of law, dialogue, and diplomacy. We are in agreement that no issue can be resolved solely through military conflict,” Modi said.

“Whether in Ukraine or in West Asia, we will continue to support every effort aimed at the early end of conflict and the restoration of peace,” he said.

The prime minister also made a mention of the upswing in India-Europe relations.

“Today, the world is passing through a phase of instability and uncertainty. From Ukraine to West Asia, several parts of the world continue to face situations of conflict. In such a global environment, India and Europe, two major diplomatic powers of the world, are entering a golden phase in their relationship,” he said.

“Our growing cooperation is imparting new strength to global stability, development, and shared prosperity.”

The Finnish president said both sides deliberated on the conflict in West Asia and Russia’s “war of aggression” against Ukraine.

“We agreed that ending the war is in everyone’s interests. A lasting peace can only be one that respects the principles of the United Nations,” he said.

In his remarks, Modi said the India-European Union free trade agreement will help deepen ties between New Delhi and Helsinki.

“This agreement will further strengthen trade, investment, and technology cooperation between India and Finland. India and Finland are important partners in areas such as digital technology, infrastructure, and sustainability,” he said.

The prime minister also highlighted Finnish telecom giant Nokia’s operations in India.

“Nokia’s mobile phone and telecom networks have connected millions of Indians. In collaboration with Finnish architects, we built the world’s tallest railway bridge over the Chenab river,” he said.

“Inspired by such significant examples, we are transforming India-Finland relations into a strategic partnership in digitalisation and sustainability during President Stubb’s visit,” Modi said.

“This partnership will accelerate and energize our cooperation in many high-tech areas, from AI to 6G telecom, from clean energy to quantum computing,” he said.

Modi said both sides will also deepen partnership in key sectors such as defence, space, semiconductors, and critical minerals.

“This strategic partnership between democratic and responsible countries like India and Finland will contribute to ensuring trustworthy technology and supply chains for the entire world,” he said.

“Finland is an important partner of India in the Nordic region. Together with Finland, we are also increasing cooperation in Arctic and polar research,” he said.

Modi and Stubb also reiterated their shared commitment to promoting a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific, in accordance with international law.

Both the leaders also unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms including cross-border terrorism.

“They called for decisive and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner and in accordance with international law,” a joint statement said.

“They agreed to enhance cooperation to counter violent radicalization and extremism, combat financing of terrorism, promote internationally agreed anti-money laundering standards, prevent exploitation of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes, and tackle terrorist recruitment,” it said.