'India Is Committed To...': PM Modi After Bulgarian President Lauds Indian Navy For Rescuing Hijacked Ship And Its Crew

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (19 March) said that India is committed to protecting freedom of navigation and combating piracy in the Indian Ocean Region.

This comes after Bulgarian President thanked PM Modi for the "brave" action of the Indian Navy to rescue the hijacked Bulgarian ship 'MV Ruen' and its crew.

"My sincere gratitude to PM Narendra Modi for the brave action of Navy rescuing the hijacked Bulgarian ship “Ruen” and its crew, including 7 Bulgarian citizens," Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said in a post on X.

Responding to President Radev's post, PM Modi said, "Appreciate your message President. 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," PM Modi added.

Indian Navy's warship INS Kolkata had carried out the interception of the Pirate Ship Ruen almost 1400 nm (2600km) from the Indian Coast, and forced the pirate ship to stop through calibrated actions which were augmented by INS Subhadra, HALE RPA, P8I maritime patrol aircraft and MARCOS PRAHARs air-dropped by C-17 aircraft.

After 40-hour long operation and concerted actions, the Navy successfully cornered and coerced all 35 pirates to surrender and ensured safe evacuation of 17 crew members on 16 March from the pirate vessel without any injury.

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