PM Modi: India's Resolve to Combat Piracy and Terrorism in the Indian Ocean

Defense News ,India :-  Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, once again promised to keep the waters of the Indian Ocean safe and fight against piracy and terrorism. He made this promise in response to a thankful message from Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, who appreciated the safe return of seven Bulgarian nationals.

Earlier on Monday, the President of Bulgaria had thanked the Indian Navy for successfully rescuing a Bulgarian ship named MV Ruen that had been hijacked.

PM Modi expressed his gratitude towards President Radev and assured him that the seven Bulgarian citizens were safe and would soon return home.

In a message on social media platform X, PM Modi said, “Thank you for your message, President @PresidentOfBg. We are glad that 7 Bulgarian nationals are safe and will be heading home soon. India is dedicated to keeping the Indian Ocean safe from piracy and terrorism.”

The ship, MV Ruen, was captured by pirates in the Arabian Sea last December. It had eight Bulgarians, nine people from Myanmar, and one from Angola on board.

In an official statement on platform X, the Bulgarian President said, “I am sincerely thankful to PM @narendramodi for the courageous action of the Navy in rescuing the hijacked Bulgarian ship 'Ruen' and its crew, which includes 7 Bulgarian citizens.”

Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister, Mariya Gabriel, also expressed her gratitude in a Facebook post, mentioning a conversation she had with the Indian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Sanjay Rana. She thanked him for the Indian Navy’s operation to rescue the Bulgarian nationals.

In another Facebook post, Gabriel shared, “Today, March 16, with the help of the Indian Navy, the crew of the ship 'Rouen,' hijacked on December 14, 2023, including seven Bulgarian citizens, was released.”

She further added, “Thanks to the efforts of the Indian military, the entire crew of the ship was freed. All sailors are in good health, and efforts are currently underway for their timely return to Bulgaria.”

Gabriel explained that the ship, Rouen, with eight Bulgarians, nine Myanmar citizens, and one Angolan on board, was seized by pirates in the Arabian Sea last December. She assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with other relevant institutions and international partners, were actively working to secure the release of the Bulgarian crew.

On March 16, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where they discussed the situation with the Indian Ambassador in Sofia, Sanjay Rana. They made an additional request to the Indian authorities for assistance and to ensure the safety and health of the crew.

Gabriel concluded her statement by saying, “I am extremely grateful for the assistance provided by the Indian side in the process of releasing the Bulgarian sailors.”