New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reaffirmed India’s
commitment to safeguarding freedom of navigation and combating piracy and
terrorism in the Indian Ocean region.

His remarks came in response to a message from Bulgarian President Rumen
Radev, expressing gratitude for the safe return of seven Bulgarian nationals.

On Monday, the Bulgarian President expressed his gratitude to the Indian Navy
for successfully carrying out a rescue operation on the hijacked Bulgarian
ship, MV Ruen.

PM Modi expressed appreciation for the President of Bulgaria Radev, and
conveyed India’s satisfaction that the seven Bulgarian nationals were safe and
would soon be returning home.

“Appreciate your message President @PresidentOfBg. We are happy that 7
Bulgarian nationals are safe and will be returning home soon. India is
committed to protecting freedom of navigation and combating piracy and
terrorism in the Indian Ocean region,” said PM Modi in a post on X.

The “Rouen” ship with eight Bulgarians, nine Myanmarese and one Angolan
citizen on board was captured by pirates in the Arabian Sea in December last
year.

In an official post on X, the Bulgarian President said, “My sincere gratitude
to PM @narendramodi for the brave action of Navy rescuing the hijacked
Bulgarian ship “Ruen” and its crew, including 7 Bulgarian citizens.”

Meanwhile, Bulgaria’s foreign minister Mariya Gabriel in a Facebook post said
on Saturday that she held a conversation with the Indian Ambassador to
Bulgaria Sanjay Rana for the Indian Navy’s Operation on MV Ruen and thanked
him for rescuing Bulgarian nationals.

In a recent post on Facebook Bulgaria’s foreign minister Mariya Gabriel said,
“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.”

“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 being made for
their timely return to Bulgaria,” she added.

Speaking regarding the incident, she stated that the ship “Rouen” with eight
Bulgarians, nine Myanmar and one Angolan citizen on board was captured by
pirates in the Arabian Sea in December last year. The Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, in close cooperation with all competent institutions, the overseas
representations of the Republic of Bulgaria in the region and international
partners is actively involved in the efforts to release the Bulgarian crew.”

On March 16, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a conversation was also held
with the Indian ambassador in Sofia, Ambassador Sanjay Rana and an additional
request was made to the Indian side for assistance and to take all possible
actions to protect the life and health of the crew.

She added in her statement, “I am extremely grateful for the assistance of the
Indian side in the process of releasing the Bulgarian sailors.”

This report is auto-generated from a syndicated feed