India, Nov. 12 -- Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi on Wednesday began his week-long visit to the United States (US) to bolster the bilateral maritime relationship that serves as a key pillar of the India-US defence partnership, the Navy said.

"The visit by chief of Naval staff underscores the Indian Navy's commitment to deepening cooperation with the US Navy towards realising the vision of a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific," a statement issued by the Navy said.

Both India and the US stand for a rules-based international order for peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific at a time when China is seeking to boost its influence in the vast region by setting up military bases, pushing countries to advance ...