India–Netherlands MoU moves Lothal maritime heritage project forward

By Admin

22 Dec, 2025

Introduction
India and the Netherlands have taken a significant step toward preserving and promoting maritime history with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on maritime heritage cooperation. The agreement strengthens international collaboration and brings fresh momentum to the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal in Gujarat, one of India’s most ambitious cultural infrastructure projects.

Formal Partnership to Strengthen Maritime Heritage
The MoU was exchanged during a meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel. It establishes a formal partnership between the National Maritime Heritage Complex, being developed under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam. This collaboration marks an important milestone in linking India’s ancient maritime legacy with global institutions of repute.

Key Areas of Collaboration
Under the agreement, the two institutions will work together on joint exhibitions, research initiatives and cultural exchange programmes. The partnership also aims to explore innovative approaches to enhance visitor experience, education and public outreach at the Lothal complex. These initiatives are expected to bring global best practices in museum design, storytelling and engagement to the NMHC.

Lothal NMHC as a Global Cultural Destination
Planned as a world-class cultural destination, the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal seeks to showcase India’s maritime legacy spanning more than 4,500 years. Located near the historic Harappan port town, the project highlights India’s long-standing connections with global trade, navigation and shipbuilding. Collaboration with the Amsterdam-based museum is expected to support international recognition of the project while promoting inclusive education and tourism.

Government Vision and International Outreach
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal described the MoU as a major step toward presenting India’s ancient maritime heritage to a global audience. He noted that the partnership aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of blending heritage with innovation to foster education, tourism and people-to-people engagement. The collaboration reflects a forward-looking approach to cultural diplomacy through maritime history.

Strengthening India–Netherlands Maritime Ties
The agreement also reflects a shared commitment by India and the Netherlands to preserve maritime heritage and deepen cultural ties. Both sides acknowledged the long-standing maritime links between the two countries and expressed interest in expanding cooperation across the wider maritime and shipping sectors. Beyond heritage, the MoU opens avenues for stronger engagement in maritime knowledge exchange and sectoral collaboration.

Conclusion
The India–Netherlands MoU marks a meaningful step in advancing the Lothal maritime heritage project while reinforcing cultural and historical ties between the two nations. By combining India’s rich maritime past with global expertise from the Netherlands, the National Maritime Heritage Complex is poised to emerge as a landmark institution celebrating seafaring history, education and international cooperation.