India, Netherlands sign MoU on maritime heritage coop

Gandhinagar: India and the Netherlands have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the field of maritime heritage, marking an important milestone in the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal in Gujarat. The MoU was exchanged during a bilateral meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Dutch foreign minister David van Weel. The agreement brings together the NMHC, being developed under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam and aims to foster collaboration through the exchange of knowledge, technical expertise, and best practices in maritime museum planning, design, curation, and conservation.

Under the partnership, both sides will work on joint exhibitions, collaborative research initiatives, and cultural exchange programmes. The MoU also encourages the adoption of innovative methods to improve visitor engagement, education, and public outreach, ensuring a richer and more interactive museum experience.

Envisioned as a world-class heritage destination, the NMHC at Lothal will showcase India's 4,500-year-old maritime history.