India, France to jointly develop Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum in North, South Blocks

EAM S Jaishankar was present at the signing event. (Image: X)

The Ministry of Culture has signed a pact with France Museums Développement (FMD) to upgrade the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum as a world-class cultural institution to be built over 1,55,000 square metres across the North and South Blocks of Parliament.

Sprawled over 1.55 lakh square metres, it is expected to be the largest museum in the world, surpassing The Louvre in Paris, which is the world’s biggest, the Indian Express reported.

A part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, the mission was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the International Museum Expo in May 2023. The Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum will be developed through 'adaptive reuse', in collaboration with France, which has an expertise in such projects, seen in the Louvre, Grand Palais, and Hôtel de la Marine.

The project will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will involve retrofitting the North Block into a museum space, with a targeted completion date of June 2026, officials told the Indian Express. Initial mapping of the building has been completed in collaboration with France Museums Development, whose experts will provide guidance on repurposing heritage buildings while preserving their architectural character.

The North Block, home to the ministries of finance and home affairs, and the South Block, which houses the Prime Minister’s Office and the external affairs ministry, will relocate to the Common Central Secretariat (CCS) buildings on Janpath for the project. Officials expect the North Block to be vacated by March 2025, while the South Block transition will come next.

The museum will serve as a global cultural landmark by combining India’s deep-rooted cultural legacy with France’s expertise in museum management and design. Its development will breathe new life into the historic North and South Blocks, preserving their unique architectural features while reimagining their purpose.

Pleased to join the signing ceremony between @NMnewdelhi and France Musums Dveloppement for the upcoming Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum.Advancing a project of great national importance, it will express cultural collaboration. Confident that the Museum will showcase pic.twitter.com/8R3aYk7eop

Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 19, 2024

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the strong partnership between India and France. “India and France view each other as pivotal in today’s multipolar world. Our shared history and heritage give us the confidence to define our unique perspectives, independent of external narratives,” he said. Deepening cultural collaboration strengthens this relationship, contributing to a more democratic global governance structure, he added.