Bulgarian Prez. Radev Thanks India for Indian Navy's Anti-Piracy Ops

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Indian Navy's action in rescuing Bulgarian citizens from Somali pirates off the Indian Ocean coast. In a reply to the Bulgarian President, Prime Minister Modi on X platform wrote, “We are happy that seven 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."

Hijacking of MV Ruen 

Somali pirates hijacked the Malta-registered bulk cargo ship MV Ruen on 14 December 2023. The MV Ruen Ship, with a 17-member crew from Bulgaria, Angola and Myanmar, was being used by the Somali pirates for raiding other ships. It was recently involved in the hijacking of a Bangladesh cargo ship off the coast of Somalia. 

The hijacking of the MV Ruen was the first hijacking of a vessel by the Somali pirates since 2017.

Indian Navy’s Anti-Piracy Operation in the Indian Ocean 

The Indian Naval Ship INS Kolkata intercepted the MV Ruen on 15 March 2024. In a successful operation conducted by the Navy on 16 March 2024, the Indian Navy successfully rescued the hostage crew members and secured the surrender of all 35 Somali pirates on board the ship.

The Indian Ocean  region, especially the Red Sea is a vital trade route for India. The American led Western Naval forces was deployed in the region under the United Nations mandate to safeguard the shipping zone. However, the Western naval forces deployed in the region are currently preoccupied with the threat posed by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis. To step up the security in the region the Indian Navy has deployed its warship in the region to deter the Somali pirates and  to provide security and freedom of maritime navigation in the region.

The Indian Navy has reported at least 17 incidents of attempted hijacking in the region since 1 December 2023.

In January 2024, the Indian Navy rescued all crew members from a Liberian-flagged merchant vessel after its attempted hijack in the Arabian Sea.

Menace of Somali Pirates 

Somalia is an African country in the Horn of Africa along the Indian Ocean. Since the collapse of the Somali government 20 years ago, there has been complete lawlessness in Somalia, which has extended to the Western Indian Ocean region. According to the United Nations International Maritime Organization, the region is the second most piracy-prone area after the South China Sea.

Between December 2010 and March 2022, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) passed seven resolutions targeting Somali piracy. These UN resolutions permitted foreign naval and air forces to enter and patrol Somali waters and authorised the European Union Naval Force Operation Atalanta, working with a U.S.-led task force, to use “all necessary means to repress piracy and armed robbery at sea.” 

About Bulgaria

Bulgaria is an East European Country situated in the Balkan region of Europe.

It is one of Europe's oldest countries, founded in the 7th century A.D.

Capital: Sofia 

Currency: Lev

President: Rumen Radev