New Delhi: India and the Netherlands on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in maritime heritage, a move expected to give a major boost to the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) being developed 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. It establishes institutional cooperation between the NMHC, which is being developed under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam.

Under the agreement, both sides will collaborate in areas such as maritime museum design, curation and conservation through the exchange of knowledge, expertise and best practices. The partnership also envisages joint exhibitions, collaborative research projects and cultural exchange programmes. Innovative methods to improve visitor experience, education and public outreach will also be explored.

The NMHC at Lothal is envisioned as a world-class heritage destination highlighting India’s nearly 4,500-year-old maritime tradition. Cooperation with the Amsterdam-based museum is expected to strengthen the project’s international standing, promote inclusive education and tourism, and ensure wider and affordable access for students, local communities and underprivileged sections.

Welcoming the agreement, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the partnership would help take India’s maritime legacy to a global audience. He noted that the collaboration would bring global expertise in museum design, conservation and curation, while reinforcing cultural ties between India and the Netherlands. He added that the initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of blending heritage with innovation to promote education, tourism and people-to-people engagement.

The MoU reflects the shared commitment of both countries to preserving and promoting maritime heritage, while deepening cultural and people-to-people ties. The ministry said it looks forward to close cooperation to effectively implement the provisions of the agreement.

Recalling the long maritime histories of India and the Netherlands, the two ministers also discussed expanding existing cooperation in the maritime and shipping sectors, including areas such as green shipping, port development and shipbuilding.