**Executive Summary**
India and the Netherlands have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in maritime heritage and develop the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat. The agreement, announced on December 20, 2023, aims to strengthen global cooperation in maritime heritage, museum design, and cultural exchange. The MoU will facilitate knowledge exchange, joint exhibitions, and research projects.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Purpose of MoU:**
* Strengthen cooperation in maritime heritage between India and the Netherlands.
* Support the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.
* **Collaboration Areas:**
* Exchange knowledge, expertise, and best practices in maritime museum design, curation, and conservation.
* Facilitate joint exhibitions, research projects, and cultural exchange programs.
* Explore innovative approaches to enhance visitor experience, education, and public outreach.
* **NMHC Vision:**
* Establish NMHC as a world-class heritage complex showcasing India's 4,500-year-old maritime legacy.
* Strengthen the global profile of the NMHC.
* Promote inclusive education, tourism, and affordable access for students, local communities, and underprivileged groups.
* **Broader Discussions:**
* Expansion of ongoing cooperation in maritime and shipping sectors, including green shipping initiatives, port development, and shipbuilding.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways:**
* **Impact:** The Ministry will oversee the implementation of the MoU in collaboration with the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam. It will play a key role in developing the NMHC.
* **Action Required:** Close cooperation with the Netherlands to implement the provisions of the agreement.
**National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam:**
* **Impact:** Will provide expertise in museum design, curation, and conservation for the NMHC at Lothal.
* **Action Required:** Collaborate with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to share knowledge, expertise, and best practices.
**Students, Local Communities, and Underprivileged Groups:**
* **Impact:** Potential beneficiaries of the NMHC through enhanced education, tourism opportunities, and affordable access to maritime heritage.
* **Action Required:** No immediate action required, but may benefit from engaging with NMHC programs and initiatives in the future.
**Visitors/Tourists:**
* **Impact:** Will experience an enhanced visitor experience, education, and public outreach.
* **Action Required:** No immediate action required, but may benefit from engaging with NMHC programs and initiatives in the future.
Key Entities Referenced
National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC): A heritage complex being developed in Lothal, Gujarat, to showcase India's maritime legacy.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): An agreement between India and the Netherlands to strengthen cooperation in maritime heritage.
Lothal, Gujarat: Location of the National Maritime Heritage Complex in India.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Indian ministry responsible for developing the NMHC.
National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam: The museum in the Netherlands collaborating with India on the NMHC project.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
India, Netherlands sign MoU to collaborate on
National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at
Lothal in Gujarat
“Agreement aims to boost global cooperation in maritime
heritage, museum design and cultural exchange:”
Sarbananda Sonowal
प्रव तथ: 20 DEC 2025 9:20PM by PIB Delhi
India and the Netherlands have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation
in maritime heritage, marking a significant step toward the development of the National Maritime
Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.
The MoU was exchanged during a bilateral meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and
Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel. It brings together the NMHC, being developed under the
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam.
Under the agreement, the two sides will collaborate on the exchange of 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, while exploring innovative approaches to
enhance visitor experience, education and public outreach.
The NMHC at Lothal is envisioned as a world-class heritage complex showcasing India’s 4,500-year-old
maritime legacy. Collaboration with the Amsterdam-based museum is expected to strengthen its global
profile, promote inclusive education and tourism, and ensure affordable access for students, local
communities and underprivileged groups.
On this occasion, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal said,
“The MoU between the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal and the National
Maritime Museum in Amsterdam is a landmark step in taking India’s rich 4,500-year maritime legacy 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 also aligns with Prime
Minister Narendra Modiji’s vision of combining heritage with innovation to promote inclusive education,
tourism and people-to-people connections.”
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 histories of India and the Netherlands, the two ministers welcomed the
partnership and also discussed expanding ongoing cooperation in the maritime and shipping sectors,
including green shipping initiatives, port development and shipbuilding.****
PN/IY
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2207128) आगंतुक पटल : 917
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही , Gujarati