India committed to protecting freedom of navigation: PM Modi responds after Bulgarian President lauds Indian Navy

Indian Navy in their rescue ops in Arabian Sea rid a hijacked merchant vessel of pirates and freed 17 crew members including seven Bulgarians

An Indian Navy helicopter during an anti-hijacking operation. The Navy successfully cornered and coerced all 35 pirates to surrender & ensured safe evacuation of 17 crew members onboard MV Ruen. PTI file

Tribune News Service

Sandeep Dikshit

New Delhi, March 19

“India is committed to protecting freedom of navigation and combating piracy and terrorism in the Indian Ocean region,’’ posted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X in response to Bulgarian President Rumen Radev’s gratitude to the Indian Navy for its successful rescue operation in the Arabian Sea that rid a hijacked merchant vessel of pirates and freed 17 crew members including seven Bulgarians.

“Appreciate your message President. We are happy that 7 Bulgarian nationals are safe and will be returning home soon,” said PM Modi after Radev expressed “sincere gratitude to PM Modi for the brave action of Indian Navy rescuing the hijacked Bulgarian ship “Ruen” and its crew, including 7 Bulgarian citizens.

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. https://t.co/nIUaY6UJjP
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 19, 2024

Earlier, Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel had expressed gratitude to the Indian Navy for its successful rescue operation in the Arabian Sea.

“That’s what friends are for,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had replied to his Bulgarian counterpart’s post on X.

“I express my gratitude to the Indian Navy for the successful operation to rescue the hijacked vessel Ruen & its crew members, including 7 Bulgarian nationals. Thank you for support and great effort. We continue to work together to protect the lives of the crew,” read Gabriel’s post on X.

A C-17 aircraft of the Indian Air Force had executed a precision air-born drop of two boats along with Indian Navy MARCOS in the Arabian Sea on Saturday to rescue the crew and wrest back control of the ship which was hijacked by Somali pirates near the Yemeni island of Socotra.

“Flying for almost 10 hrs to an area 2,600 kms off the Indian Coast, the Op was carried out to rescue crew of bulk carrier vessel MV Ruen,” the Indian Air Force had posted on X.

The Navy had said in the rescue operation that lasted for 40 hours, INS Kolkata had blocked the passage of the hijacked ship and “successfully coerced all 35 pirates to surrender, ensuring the safe evacuation of 17 crew members from the pirate vessel without any injury.”

About The Author

Tribune News Service

The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.