Bulgarian President expresses gratitude to Indian President Droupadi Murmu for MV Ruen rescue operations
New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) Bulgarian President Rumen Radev expressed his gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu for the Indian Navy’s successful rescue operation on the hijacked Bulgarian ship, MV Ruen. President Radev thanked India for rescuing the vessel and its crew, including 7 Bulgarian nationals. The two leaders discussed strengthening the India-Bulgaria partnership based on shared values and interests.
Indian Navy’s INS Kolkata rescued 17 crew members from the hijacked MV Ruen and coerced 35 Somali pirates to surrender in a 40-hour-long operation. The merchant vessel, with Bulgarians, Myanmarese, and one Angolan citizen onboard, was hijacked in December 2023. President Radev also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India’s commitment to protecting freedom of navigation and combatting piracy in the Indian Ocean region.
Indian Navy deployed P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, ships INS Kolkata and INS Subhadra, and HALE unmanned aerial vehicle for the operation. The vessel was sanitized for illegal arms, ammunition, and contraband. MV Ruen, reported as a pirate ship for piracy acts, was intercepted by an Indian Navy warship, which took action in self-defense and to counter piracy with minimal necessary force.
The pirates onboard MV Ruen were asked to surrender and release the vessel and any civilians they held against their will. The Indian Navy used international law to neutralize the pirates’ threat to shipping and seafarers. President Radev’s call to President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi was a testament to the strong India-Bulgaria partnership in combating piracy and protecting sea routes.
