Diplomacy doesn’t always happen behind closed doors. Sometimes it happens in a college auditorium, in front of students eager to understand the world beyond their textbooks. That was the case on 5th October 2026, when Hinduja College welcomed Her Excellency Ms. Anna Anatoliivna Zaichenko, Hon’ble Acting Consul General of Ukraine in Mumbai, for a campus visit and interactive address.

A Warm Welcome, Rooted in Tradition

Students greeted Her Excellency with a traditional welcome before she met senior faculty and the student team. Principal Prof. (Dr.) Navin M. Punjabi, accompanied by Col. Sood, Management Representative, escorted her to the auditorium, where the programme opened with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by formal felicitations exchanged between the dignitaries.

A Relationship Spanning Decades

In his welcome address, Principal Punjabi traced the India-Ukraine relationship back over three decades, highlighting cooperation across agriculture, pharmaceuticals, science, technology, education and culture. He pointed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2024 visit to Ukraine as a milestone in strengthening those ties, and noted how many Indian students have built academic journeys in Ukraine over the years, forming friendships that continue to connect the two nations. He also expressed hope for peace through diplomatic dialogue, grounded in the principles of the United Nations Charter.

Her Excellency’s Perspective

Addressing the students, Her Excellency Zaichenko spoke warmly about the long tradition of academic exchange between India and Ukraine, noting that students continue applying to Ukrainian universities even amid the ongoing crisis. She also shared a personal note, reflecting on her happiness at taking up this posting in Mumbai after previously serving in California, USA.

A Hall Full of Curious Minds

More than 200 students filled the auditorium for the interaction, a turnout that reflected genuine curiosity about international affairs and diplomacy. Col. Sood underlined why moments like this matter, giving students the chance to engage directly with international representatives and broaden their worldview beyond the classroom. The programme closed with the national anthems of both India and Ukraine, a fitting tribute to the friendship between the two countries, followed by group photographs with the dignitaries and students.

Conversations That Looked Ahead

The visit didn’t end with the formal programme. Her Excellency went on to meet with Principal Punjabi, Col. Sood and Dr. Shradha B. Jain, International Programmes Coordinator, to explore what future collaboration between Hinduja College and Ukrainian universities could look like. Ideas on the table included hybrid and online learning, student and faculty exchanges, two-week study immersion programmes, joint research, and academic conferences and seminars, alongside possibilities in finance, technology, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Building Cultural Bridges Too

Culture featured just as prominently in the conversation. Plans discussed included a proposed Ukrainian Bookshelf for the College Library, cultural workshops, heritage walks and reciprocal participation in festivals, alongside the Study India Programme, designed to give Ukrainian students firsthand insight into India’s economy and entrepreneurial landscape.

A Step Toward Deeper Global Ties

This visit was more than a single afternoon of dialogue. It reflected Hinduja College’s broader commitment to internationalisation, global learning and cross-cultural understanding, opening the door to meaningful collaboration between institutions and, hopefully, between students on both sides of these conversations.

Want to know more about Hinduja College’s global initiatives? Visit Hinduja College to see what’s next.