Friday, March 6, 2026 | Vol. 69 No. 128 | 30 Pages NATIONAL Reg.No MCS/048/2021-23; RNI No. 1541/1957 M.p.c.s office Mumbai. PIN 400001 THE FREE PRESS JOURNAL INDIA EDITION | www.freepressjournal.in ● Leader in E-paper circulation l E-paper edition is not a replica of the print edition GAMES NATION Removal notice: Speaker Birla can defend himself and vote in LS, but has to sit as ordinary MP Modi calls for ‘swift end’ to conflicts in Ukraine, West Asia Agencies NEW DELHI PM Narendra Modi on Thursday called for a “swift end” to the conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine, warning that no issue can be resolved through military confrontation, as the Israel-Iran hostilities escalated. Modi's remarks, following his wide-ranging talks with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, came as the US and Israel's war with Iran entered the sixth day, with both sides launching fresh strikes that significantly heightened tensions across the region. 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 through military conflict alone,” the PM said. “Be it Ukraine or West Asia, we will continue to support the swift end of conflicts and every effort towards peace.” 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 UN.” Stubb strongly backed India's bid for a permanent 39°C: Mumbai sizzles early Modi said both India and Finland believe in rule of law and that no issue can be resolved through military conflict seat at the UN Security Council, arguing it is of “utmost importance”, along with broader reform of the global multilateral system, to reflect current geopolitical realities. Modi also mentioned the upswing in India-Europe relations. “The world is going through a period of instability and uncertainty. Conflict persists in many parts of the world, from Ukraine to West Asia. In such a global environment, India and Europe, two of the world's major diplomatic powers, are entering a golden period in their relations,” he said. 4Contd on | nation 4See also | world Devashri Bhujbal Kalpesh Mhamunkar MUMBAI Mumbai and its metropolitan region endured the season's first heatwave on Thursday as temperatures climbed to 39°C — the highest recorded in the city this year and the second-highest across Maharashtra. The India Meteorological Department had initially issued a Yellow Alert for "hot and humid conditions" across Mumbai, Thane and Palghar districts. By late morning, conditions had intensified enough for the IMD to upgrade the alert to a heatwave warning. The Yellow Alert for hot and humid conditions remains in force for Friday. Maharashtra is on course to clock a 7.9% economic growth rate in 2025–26, reinforcing its stature as India’s most powerful state economy, according to the Maharashtra Economic Survey 2025–26 tabled in the state legislature on Wednesday. The state's nominal Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is projected at ₹51 lakh crore, while per capita income is estimated at ₹3,47,903 — nearly 60% higher than the national average of ₹2,19,575. The state accounts for roughly 14% of Lanka extends help to 2nd Iran ship FPJ News Service INDIA REFUTES SLUR ON ATTACK MUMBAI Sri Lanka has denied docking permission to a second Iranian vessel reported near its coast, even as authorities said they are prepared to extend humanitarian assistance to the crew if required, according to international media reports. The development comes a day after the Iranian naval frigate IRIS Dena sank off Sri Lanka following a US torpedo strike during the escalating regional conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel. According to The Wall Street Journal, Sri Lankan officials confirmed that the vessel was sighted roughly 20 miles off Colombo. Cabinet spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said the ship was in international waters and had not entered Sri Lanka’s territorial zone. Late at night, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said Sri Lanka evacuated 208 crew members from the naval vessel. The Sri Lankan Navy will also take control of it and escort it to Trincomalee port for safekeeping, he said, amid concerns that it could become a potential target. “We are not taking sides in this conflict, but while maintaining our neutrality we are acting to save lives,” Dissanayake said. “No one should have to die in a war like this. Every life is equally precious.” 4Contd on | nation Ashwin Ahmad NEW DELHI Although Lankan minister Nalinda Jayatissa gave no details of the Iranian ship, official sources identified it as IRIS Bushehr, which was carrying nearly 300 crew ‘DENA GUEST OF INDIAN NAVY’ ran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the Iranian warship sunk off Sri Lanka had recently been a “guest of India’s Navy,” a remark that draws attention to the protocols foreign naval ships observe when participating in multinational exercises such as MILAN naval exercise. On Thursday, 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. Araghchi said the United States had committed “an atrocity at sea” by striking a vessel that had been sailing in international waters after taking part in naval engagements in India. In his statement, he emphasised that the frigate had recently been “a guest of India’s Navy,” carrying dozens of sailors while returning from the region. In naval diplomacy warships attending multinational exercises hosted by the Indian Navy follow strict non-combat protocols during their participation. These rules are designed to ensure that visiting vessels are engaged in cooperative activities rather than operational deployments. CONTD NATION I India’s nominal GDP, maintaining its position as the country’s single largest contributor. The services sector leads growth at a projected 9%, followed by industry at 5.7% and agriculture at 3.4%. A robust monsoon — recording 109.1% of average rainfall — boosted kharif sowing across 157.27 lakh hectares, lifting output of cereals, sugarcane and cotton, though pulses and oilseeds are expected to dip. The state approved ₹9,022 crore in compensation for over 1.16 crore farmers hit by unseasonal rains. Dheeraj Kumar Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday heaped praise on Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and his governance, crediting him with freeing the state from the “clutches of jungle raj”. As Nitish filed nomination papers for Rajya Sabha polls, Shah called the JD(U) leader commented, “All of our bases have been destroyed. Our harbour installations are destroyed. We are actually having to fall back on India and Indian ports, which is less than ideal; that is what the navy says.” Colonel MacGregor also believes the US Navy may have used an Indian port to strike the IRIS Dena, an Iranian frigate that was believed to have been sailing in international waters before it was struck through a torpedo strike by a US submarine in the Bay of Bengal, where over 80 Iranian sailors were believed to have been killed. 4Contd on | nation 4See also | nation INDIA SENT 2 SHIPS TO RESCUE he Indian Navy on Thursday said it joined search and rescue operations after learning about a distress call from the Iranian warship IRIS Dena, which went down off the coast of Sri Lanka after being hit by a torpedo fired by a US submarine. In a statement, the Indian Navy said it promptly launched its search and rescue (SAR) efforts with a long-range maritime patrol aircraft at 10 am onWednesday to augment rescue operations led by Sri Lanka. “Another aircraft with air-droppable life rafts was also kept on standby for immediate deployment. CONTD NATION T MISRI SIGNS KHAMENEI CONDOLENCE BOOK oreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday signed the condolence book at the Embassy of Iran, marking India’s formal response to the passing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. While Misri’s gesture fulfils essential diplomatic protocol, it highlights a notable contrast in representation compared to instances where Indian Heads of State or Government have intervened personally. The level of representation signals the strategic or emotional depth of the bilateral bond. In 2007, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh personally visited the Pakistan High Commission for Benazir Bhutto, a powerful signal of solidarity. Similarly, in 2022, President Droupadi Murmu travelled to London to sign the book for Queen Elizabeth II, reflecting the highest level of state honour. CONTD NATION F 4Contd on | nation This Women’s Day set your Dreams Free! ■ State leads India in FDI, startups, tourist arrivals ■ Per capita income rises to ₹3.47 lakh, 60% above national average Scan the QR code to take the first step towards achieving them with SIP in Mutual Funds. ■ Services sector powers ahead at 9%; agriculture buoyed by record 109% monsoon rainfall ■ Mumbai Metro Line-3, Samruddhi Mahamarg now fully operational; Navi Mumbai Airport takes off Cabinet nod to draft anti-conversion law The Cabinet approved a draft legislation aimed at regulating religious conversions in the state, making prior permission from a designated authority mandatory for individuals seeking to change their religion. The proposed bill requires any person intending to convert to another religion to submit a 60-day prior notice. SEE CITY “messiah of the poor”. He said: “For the past two decades, the Nitish government’s commitment and dedicated leadership for the welfare of the people of Bihar has freed the state from jungle raj and propelled it forward in the direction of development and good governance.” 4Contd on | nation 4See also | nation Aritra Singha KOLKATA In a dramatic development just days before the schedule for the West Bengal Assembly elections is expected to be announced, Governor CV Ananda Bose resigned from his post in New Delhi on Thursday evening, triggering a political storm in the state. Confirming his decision, Bose said he had stepped down after serving in the Raj Bhavan for more than three years. “Yes, I have resigned. I have been the Governor of Bengal for three-and-a-half years; it’s enough for me,” he said, offering no further explanation for the sudden move. Haridev Pushparaj MUMBAI premely resilient England team and chasing 254 for a place in the final, England were always going to be up against it. They mustered a mighty effort led by Jacob Bethell’s stupendous 105 and Will Jacks’ 35. However, the Indian bowlers Scan here Benefits of SIP Freedom from market timing Well-suited for long-term wealth accumulation Disciplined wealth creation 4Contd on | nation ‘Won’khede: India storm into final Sanju Samson took his game into another stratosphere on the grandest of occasions with a flamboyant 89 that built the foundation on which India carved out a T20 World Cup semifinal classic victory by a nervy seven runs at the cavernous Wankhede Stadium, here on Thursday. The defending champions were made to sweat by a su- The Ministry of External Affairs went on social media to strongly refute a claim made that India was allowing the US Navy to use its ports to launch attacks. In a post on X, the MEAFactCheck wrote, “Claims being made on One America News Network, a US-based channel, that Indian ports are being used by the US Navy are fake and false. We caution you against such baseless and fabricated comments.” The claim was made during an interview with US defence expert and former Colonel Douglas MacGregor on his thoughts on the Iran war. In the interview, Col. MacGregor On top gear With Shah by his side, Bengal drama: Bose Nitish files RS papers quits as Guv, Ravi in PATNA Edit Selective morality will not ensure durability of peace Maha set to grow @ 7.9% MUMBAI 4Contd on | nation Cinema Mahesh Manjrekar opens up about his upcoming play Animal Finn Allen lavishes praise on NZ bowlers for terrific performance against S Africa led by Jasprit Bumrah chipped in with wickets at regular intervals to restrict them to 246/7 in 20 overs to hand India a sevenrun win and a place in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Jacob Bethell’s lion-hearted effort of an incredible 105 off 48 balls and Will Jacks’ 35 were the highlights for England, who were under tremendous pressure of chasing 254. 4Contd on | nation 4See also | games An Investor Education and Awareness Initiative SIP - Systematic Investment Plan | Visit https://www.hdfcfund.com/information/key-know-how to know more about the process to complete a one-time Know Your Customer (KYC) requirement to invest in Mutual Funds. Investors should only deal with registered Mutual Funds, details of which can be verified on the SEBI website (www.sebi.gov.in/intermediaries.html). For any queries, complaints & grievance redressal, investors may reach out to the AMCs and / or Investor Relations Officers. Additionally, investors may also lodge complaints directly with the AMCs. If they are not satisfied with the resolutions given by AMCs, they may raise complaint through the SCORES portal on https://scores.sebi.gov.in/. 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