He said that India is committed to protecting freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean region.
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reiterated India’s commitment to safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean region and combating piracy and terrorism.
His speech was in response to a message from Bulgarian President Rumen Radev expressing gratitude for the safe return of the seven Bulgarian nationals.
The Bulgarian President on Monday expressed gratitude to the Indian Navy for successfully rescuing the hijacked Bulgarian ship MV Ruen.
Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to Bulgarian President Radev and expressed satisfaction that the seven Bulgarian citizens are safe and will return home soon.
“Thank you for your message, President @PresidentOfBg. We are glad that the 7 Bulgarian citizens are safe and will be returning home soon. India is committed to protecting freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean region and combating piracy and terrorism,” PM Modi said in the post. X on.
Thank you for your message President @PresidentOfBg . We are glad that the seven Bulgarian citizens are safe and will return 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
In December last year, the “Rouen” ship carrying 8 Bulgarians, 9 Burmese and 1 Angolan citizen was hijacked by pirates in the Arabian Sea.
The Bulgarian president said in an official post by
Meanwhile, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel posted on Facebook on Saturday that she had spoken to Indian Ambassador to Bulgaria Sanjay Rana about the Indian Navy’s actions on the INS Loon Had a conversation and thanked him for rescuing the Bulgarian national.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Maria Gabriel recently posted on Facebook, “Today, March 16, with the help of the Indian Navy, the crew of the Rouen, which was hijacked on December 14, 2023, including seven Bulgarian citizens released. “
“Thanks to the efforts of the Indian military, the entire crew of the ship has been released. All crew members are in good health and efforts are being made to return them to Bulgaria in a timely manner,” she added.
Talking about this incident, she said that in December last year, the ship “Rouen” carrying 8 Bulgarians, 9 Burmese and 1 Angolan citizen was hijacked by pirates in the Arabian Sea. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs actively participates in the efforts to free the Bulgarian crew, in close cooperation with all competent agencies, overseas representations of the Republic of Bulgaria in the region and international partners. “
On March 16, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also held talks with Indian Ambassador to Sofia Sanjay Rana, and once again requested India to provide assistance and take all possible actions to protect people’s lives and health. of the crew.
“I am deeply grateful to India for its assistance in the release of the Bulgarian sailors,” she added in the statement.
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