Senior leaders from U.S. 7th Fleet visited Colombo, Sri Lanka and Male, Maldives and attended the Galle Dialogues international Maritime Conference Dec. 1-6, building relationships to improve maritime security in the Indo-Asia Pacific.

While in Sri Lanka, 7th Fleet leaders met with officials from the Indian Navy, PLA(N), Royal Australian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and many others to discuss maritime security, theater security cooperation, and common maritime issues amongst nations on the region.

"We work with more nations and more cultures than any other fleet," said Vice Adm. Robert Thomas, 7th Fleet commander. "It's our job to build those relationships that lay the foundation for the future success of this region. Building these relationships helps maintain security and stability."

The Galle Dialogues have become a premier international maritime forum, with 37 maritime nations sending senior leaders to discuss critical issues of the day in a strategic forum. Discussions included humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, trade, maritime patrol and reconnaissance missions, counter-terrorism and coast guard issues in the Asian theater and beyond.

After the visit to Colombo and Galle, Sri Lanka, the 7th Fleet team visited Male, Maldives to discuss multinational maritime domain awareness opportunities.

The U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward-deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific area of operations. As the U.S. Navy's largest numbered fleet, 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability and prevent conflict.