India and Netherlands sign MoU on National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal
India and the Netherlands exchanged an MoU on 20 December 2025 linking the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat with the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam, during talks between S. Jaishankar and Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel.
Summary
India and the Netherlands signed a Memorandum of Understanding on maritime heritage, announced on 20 December 2025, under which the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat will work with the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam. The NMHC–Amsterdam museum MoU was exchanged during a bilateral meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel, and covers exchange of expertise in museum design, curation and conservation, joint exhibitions, research and cultural exchange. The NMHC, being developed by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, is envisioned as a world-class complex showcasing India's 4,500-year-old maritime legacy.
Key facts
- Date
- 20 December 2025
- Parties
- NMHC, Lothal and National Maritime Museum, Amsterdam
- Exchanged during
- Meeting of S. Jaishankar and Dutch FM David van Weel
- Scope
- Museum design, curation, conservation, joint exhibitions, research
- NMHC
- Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; 4,500-year maritime legacy
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Under the MoU exchanged in December 2025, the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal will collaborate with which Dutch institution?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — National Maritime Museum, Amsterdam
PIB 2207128: the MoU brings together the NMHC and the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam.
The National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal is envisioned to showcase India's maritime legacy of about how many years?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 4,500
PIB 2207128: the NMHC is envisioned as a world-class complex showcasing India's 4,500-year-old maritime legacy.