• The MoU supports the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW’s) Sagarmala Programme, in Lothal, Gujarat.

• What? MoU signed
• Between: India & Netherlands
• MoU Exchanged by: Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar(MEA) & David van Weel(Netherlands)
• Where? New Delhi, Delhi
• Purpose: To strengthen cooperation on maritime heritage
• Knowledge Partner: National Maritime Museum (Amsterdam)

Key Details of MoU:
MoU Exchange: The agreement was exchanged during a bilateral meeting between Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and David van Weel, Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, in New Delhi, Delhi.
Role of Entities: Under the MoU, the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam (Netherlands) will act as knowledge and expertise partner.

• India and Netherlands will share expertise and best practices in museum design, conservation and curation. They will collaborate on joint exhibitions, research, cultural exchanges and new ways to improve visitor experience and public education.

Innovative Approach: The MoU aims to explore innovative approaches to enhance visitor experience, education and public outreach at NMHC.
About National Maritime Heritage Complex(NMHC):
Overview: NMHC is a flagship cultural and heritage project of the GoI launched in 2022, being developed at Lothal, with an aim to showcase India’s rich 4,500-year-old maritime history and its long connection with the seas.
Heritage Tourism Promotion: NMHC aims to preserve and present India’s maritime traditions, trade routes, shipbuilding skills, promote heritage tourism and coastal cultural awareness, and serve as a centre for education, research and public outreach.
Components: It includes Maritime museums, Light House Museum, Harappan-era galleries, Naval and shipping galleries, interactive exhibits, research institutes, and recreational spaces.
About Netherlands:
Prime Minister (PM) – Dick Schoof
Capital – Amsterdam
Currency – Euro (EUR)