India, Netherlands sign MoU to collaborate on National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal in Gujarat
The MoU was exchanged during the bilateral meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel.
It brings together the NMHC, developed within the Ministry of Ports, Maritime Affairs and Waterways, and the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam.
Under the agreement, the two parties will cooperate in sharing knowledge, expertise and best practices in maritime museum design, curation and conservation.
The partnership will also facilitate joint exhibitions, research projects and cultural exchange programs, as well as explore innovative approaches to improving visitor experience, education and public outreach.
NMHC at Lothal is envisioned as a world-class heritage complex showcasing India’s 4,500-year-old maritime heritage.
The collaboration with the Amsterdam-based museum is expected to strengthen its global profile, promote inclusive education and tourism, and provide affordable access for students, local communities and underprivileged groups. On the occasion, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said: “The MoU between the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal and the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam brings India’s 4,500-year-old rich maritime heritage to the global stage.”
“This partnership will bring world-class expertise in conservation, curation and museum design while strengthening cultural ties between India and the Netherlands. It is also in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modiji’s vision of combining heritage with innovation to promote inclusive education, tourism and people-to-people connections,” Sonowal said. he said.
The MoU reflects a shared commitment to preserving and promoting maritime heritage, while also deepening people-to-people and cultural ties between the two countries.
The Ministry looks forward to close cooperation to implement the provisions of the agreement.
Recalling the long maritime history of India and the Netherlands, the two ministers welcomed the partnership and also discussed expanding ongoing cooperation in maritime and maritime sectors, including green shipping initiatives, port development and shipbuilding.
