NEW DELHI, India -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson concluded his three-day visit to India, May 14.

During the visit, Richardson met with Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy Adm. Sunil Lanba and other senior military, diplomatic and national security officials of India.

The two heads of navy discussed the strategic importance of growing the two navies’ partnership and the need to focus on information sharing and exchange. They also discussed their shared view on a multilateral approach in maintaining maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific region.

“This visit provided a critical opportunity to strengthen the partnership between the Indian Navy and the U.S. Navy,” said Richardson. “Nothing beats the chance to meet in person. I’m grateful for the friendship and vision of Admiral Sunil Lanba, who is nearing the end of a very impactful term as Chief of the Indian Navy. He has been a strong advocate for a closer partnership between our two navies, and we’ve made significant progress. Our mutual commitment and shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific enables even more opportunities for the future. We took the opportunity during the visit to discuss specific steps that will set the stage for further cooperation between our two navies.”

Richardson also met with the U.S. Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster and discussed how to further strengthen relations between the two countries and navies.

The visit included a wreath laying at the National War Memorial and a guard of honor arrival ceremony.

Richardson is scheduled to visit Singapore for the International Maritime Defense Exposition, May 14-15.