India–Netherlands MoU to boost maritime heritage, museum design, cultural exchange and global cooperation at Lothal.
In a major cultural milestone, India and the Netherlands have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal in Gujarat. The MoU, exchanged on 20 December 2025, aims to deepen cooperation in maritime heritage, museum design, research and cultural exchange.
The agreement was formalised during a bilateral meeting between External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel. The partnership brings together the NMHC, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam.
Under the pact, both nations will work jointly on maritime curation, conservation, exhibition planning and exchange of best practices. The collaboration will also support educational programmes, joint research projects, and initiatives to enhance visitor experience and community outreach.
The Lothal complex is envisioned as a world-class showcase of India’s 4,500-year-old maritime legacy, linking ancient heritage with modern museum innovation. By partnering with Amsterdam’s iconic maritime museum, India aims to elevate the global profile of the NMHC and create inclusive access for students, local communities and visitors worldwide.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described the MoU as a “landmark step” that will help take India’s maritime heritage to the global stage. He added that the initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of blending heritage with innovation to strengthen education, tourism and people-to-people ties.
Both nations also reaffirmed plans to build on their long maritime histories by exploring wider cooperation in green shipping, shipbuilding and port development. The ministry expressed confidence that this partnership will further cultural bonds and accelerate progress on the Lothal heritage complex.
Source: PIB
