Letter from the Secretary-General

Dear Delegates and Faculty Advisors,

It is my honour to welcome you to the sixteenth edition of Harvard Model United Nations India. With two chapters, Bengaluru (August 13 to 16) and Jaipur (August 20 to 23), this year our team is expanding the reach of HMUN India to engage even more schools and students across the country.

My name is Ved, and I am a rising senior at Harvard studying Applied Mathematics. I was born in Mumbai and grew up in Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. I began my Model UN journey in Mumbai, participating in local conferences, and attended HMUN India as a delegate seven years ago. HMUN India was, and remains, the most distinctive conference in the country. Since then, I have returned each year in different roles, as a delegate, Assistant Director, Director, Director General, and now have the privilege of serving as your Secretary General.

At its heart, HMUN India stands apart because it emphasises collaboration. In an environment where achievement is often measured individually, HMUN India places value on earning the respect of peers through thoughtful engagement. While strong research and public speaking are essential, delegates are challenged to listen carefully, build consensus, and work constructively with others to produce meaningful solutions. These skills extend far beyond committee rooms and remain relevant across academic, professional, and civic contexts.

As an extension of Harvard Model United Nations Boston, building on a legacy of more than 80 years of student diplomacy, we maintain a strong commitment to academic rigour and intellectual seriousness. This year’s committees will address complex global issues while remaining accessible to delegates across levels of experience. Alongside committee sessions, HMUN India offers carefully designed skills workshops, college readiness sessions, faculty engagement spaces and social experiences that allow delegates to build friendships and networks that often continue well beyond the conference. Through the HMUN India Impact Initiative, delegates are also encouraged to translate ideas developed in committee into tangible projects. Selected initiatives receive mentorship and support, reinforcing the belief that discussion and action can meaningfully reinforce each other.

HMUN India was and remains one of the most important experiences in my life. It is where I made some of my closest friends, learnt some of my most important lessons, and was exposed to the opportunities that brought me to Harvard. This year, our team hopes to create a similar environment for each of you, one that encourages curiosity, collaboration, and ambition.

I warmly invite you to join us in Bengaluru or Jaipur this August. We look forward to welcoming you to HMUN India XVI.

Regards,

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Ved Pant Secretary-General Harvard Model United Nations India 2026 secgen@hmunindia.org