US naval operations chief on India visit to deepen ties

US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson is visiting India on his first trip to the country aimed at deepening bilateral maritime partnership, the Pentagon said.
Richardson will visit New Delhi and Visakhapatnam between February 2 to 6.
In New Delhi, Richardson will meet key Indian security officials to discuss navy-to-navy relations and opportunities to further technical and security ties, an official statement said.
The admiral would then travel to Visakhapatnam to participate in the Indian Navy-hosted International Fleet Review, which will have a participation from 50 countries with visiting warships, tall-masted ships, and heads of navies.
The International Fleet Review is being promoted as the Indian Navy's premier international engagement event for 2016.

While in Visakhapatnam, he will meet with sailors from USS Antietam (CG 54), a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, and USS McCampbell (DDG 85), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, said the statement.
Noting that a central line of effort for Richardson is to "expand and strengthen our network of partners," the Pentagon said the visit to India and interactions with Indian and other navy leaders helps to deepen ties and expand shared maritime interests.