The Union Ministry of Culture has announced a landmark partnership with France Museums Développement (FMD) to develop the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum (YYBNM) in New Delhi. This collaboration marks a significant step in enhancing India’s cultural heritage through an ambitious project under the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. The Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum will showcase 10,000 years of India's rich history across 8 segments.
Spanning approximately 1,55,000 square meters, the museum will be strategically located across the North and South Blocks in Delhi. It will be designed to preserve and adapt the existing architecture of these historic government buildings while transforming them into cultural spaces. This adaptive reuse strategy, commonly used in France, will ensure the architectural integrity of the buildings while modernizing them for public use.
The event marking the announcement was attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and FMD President Herve Barbaret. Minister Jaishankar emphasized the deep cultural and civilisational confidence shared between India and France, highlighting the importance of the collaboration in the context of a multipolar world. He explained that India and France, as key poles in a multipolar world, have much to contribute globally through such partnerships.
The concept of the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the International Museum Expo in May 2023. Under the new agreement with FMD, the countries will carry out a feasibility study, which will include museum case studies, interpretive planning, and building programming. This initiative is expected to create a globally significant institution to celebrate India’s rich heritage.
Herve Barbaret pointed out that France’s world-renowned expertise in museum development, such as in projects like the Grand Louvre and Grand Palais, will be crucial to the development of YYBNM. The adaptive reuse method, which has been a hallmark of France's "Grands Projets," will be applied here to turn the North and South Blocks into cultural hubs while preserving their historic significance. This model has already proven successful with other major French landmarks and is now being implemented in India.
The project will unfold in two phases, with work already started on the North Block, which houses the Finance and Home ministries. The South Block, home to the External Affairs Ministry, Defence Ministry, and Prime Minister’s Office, will be addressed in the second phase. Minister Shekhawat clarified that while no definitive timeline had been established, the project is progressing as planned.
Minister Shekhawat also addressed concerns over the current National Museum in Janpath, which has been the subject of controversy regarding its potential demolition. He reassured the public that the National Museum would not be demolished and would continue to serve as an accessible and valuable cultural institution.
While the adaptive reuse model has proven successful in other parts of the world, Barbaret acknowledged the complexities of implementing it in India, especially with the scale and anticipated foot traffic of the YYBNM. Located in the heart of the national capital, the museum will face security challenges, but the project will incorporate France’s expertise to address these concerns and ensure smooth execution.
The partnership between India and France builds on a 2020 Letter of Intent focused on museum and heritage development cooperation. A second Letter of Intent, formalized during Prime Minister Modi’s 2023 visit to Paris, outlines specific areas of technical collaboration, paving the way for further cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.
Minister Shekhawat expressed excitement about the collaboration, emphasizing that the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum will serve as a beacon of India’s rich and diverse heritage. He stated that the museum would not only celebrate India’s legacy but would also inspire future generations by bridging the past, present, and future in a dynamic narrative of modern India. The museum will focus on inclusivity, diversity, and community representation, offering a transformative cultural experience for visitors.