INDIAN AMBASSADOR VISITED VARNA FREE UNIVERSITY

19 February 2026

HE Arun Sahu, Ambassador of the Republic of India to Bulgaria, visited Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar”. He was welcomed by the Rector Prof. Petar Hristov, PhD, the Vice President of the University Yani Yanev and the Deputy Rector Assoc. Prof. Eleonora Tankova, PhD.

During the visit, the Ambassador toured the university campus and got acquainted with the educational facilities and the opportunities for training and development of students. The diplomat was accompanied by Plamen Parushev – member of the Branch Board of Trustees for the professional area of Economics at VFU “Chernorizets Hrabar”.

During the meeting, the possibilities for future cooperation between Varna Free University and Indian universities and institutions were discussed, as well as the prospects for partnerships in the field of high technologies and exact sciences.

The Ambassador presented the main highlights of the educational system in India and emphasised that in recent years there has been an increased interest of Indian students in studying in European Union countries. He noted that Bulgaria is a preferred destination for higher education, as it offers a favourable environment, a close culture and a warm, friendly attitude towards international students.

HE Arun Sahu also shared that India is among the leading countries in the field of high technologies and that 16 of the CEOs of the largest high-tech companies in the world are Indians.

The Rector Prof. Petar Hristov, PhD expressed readiness to deepen academic relations with Indian partner universities and develop sustainable cooperation initiatives. Vice President Yani Yanev added that there are over 400 international students at Varna Free University, who study and live in the friendly environment of the university, and emphasised that this visit is an important step towards building a new, long-term partnership.

On the eve of the 35th anniversary of the university, HE Arun Sahu was awarded a gold plaque by Varna Free University. He has been invited to be a guest at the celebrations to be held in May 2026.

HE Arun Sahu is a career diplomat and a member of the Indian Foreign Service since 1996. Prior to his appointment as the Ambassador of India to Bulgaria in early 2025, he held a number of senior diplomatic and administrative positions, including High Commissioner of India to Trinidad and Tobago and Deputy High Commissioner of India to Canada.