France Partners with India to Develop World's Largest Museum in New Delhi

France will collaborate with India in developing the new National Museum in New Delhi, set to be the largest museum in the world. The upcoming Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum will cover an area of 1.17 lakh square meters with 950 rooms spread over a basement and three storeys. It will feature eight thematic segments showcasing India's story spanning over 5,000 years.

Aurélien Lechevallier, Director General for Global Affairs and Cultural and Economic Diplomacy at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, visited the upcoming museum site on Monday along with a team of experts to discuss the next steps in this partnership. France will serve as a 'knowledge partner' in the creation of the new National Museum, collaborating in areas such as museum development and management, conservation and display of artifacts, and enhancing visitor experience.

The partnership between India and France was formalized through a 'Letter of Intent' signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France in July 2023. France's national agency, France Museums Developpement (a subsidiary of Agence France Museums), will be India's partner in this ambitious project. The new museum will display India's rich history and heritage, combining collections from the current Indian National Museum and other pan-India museums.

Why this matters: The collaboration between France and India on the development of the world's largest museum in New Delhi signifies a strengthening of cultural ties between the two nations. This partnership not only showcases India's rich heritage on a global stage but also positions the new National Museum as a major cultural attraction for visitors from around the world.

During his visit, Lechevallier also participated in the Governing Council meeting of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), where France's candidacy for the CDRI co-chairship was announced. Lechevallier has been appointed as the new Co-chair of the CDRI Governing Council for a period of two years (2024-2026), further solidifying France's commitment to collaborating with India on critical infrastructure projects.

Key Takeaways

• France to collaborate with India in developing the new National Museum in New Delhi.
• The upcoming museum will be the largest in the world, covering 1.17 lakh sq. m.
• France will serve as a 'knowledge partner' in areas like museum development and management.
• Partnership formalized through a 'Letter of Intent' during PM Modi's visit to France in 2023.
• France's CDRI co-chairship announced, further strengthening India-France collaboration.