Navy Chief Embarks on Crucial US Visit to Bolster Maritime Ties and Counter China's Indo-Pacific Ambitions

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New Delhi: Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has begun a week-long visit to the United States, aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation and deepening defence ties between the two nations. The visit is part of India's efforts to counter China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region, which is critical to regional peace, prosperity, and stability.India, the US, and other nations stand for a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific, which is being challenged by China's aggressive expansion. Beijing is setting up military bases, pushing maritime claims, and forcing concessions from vulnerable states. In response, India and the US have signed a 10-year framework to deepen their defence partnership, which provides a unified vision and policy direction for bilateral cooperation. The framework was signed during a meeting between defence ministers Rajnath Singh and Pete Hegseth in Kuala Lumpur on October 31.Tripathi is expected to hold talks with top US officials, including Admiral Samuel J Paparo and Admiral Stephen T Koehler, to enhance operational-level linkages and strengthen information sharing and maritime domain awareness between the two navies. The visit comes at a time when India is walking a delicate tightrope, negotiating a trade deal with the US, repairing ties with Washington, and maintaining its relationship with Russia. Recent weeks have seen renewed talks on a trade deal, with US officials holding discussions with Indian counterparts in New Delhi and Washington.US President Donald Trump has hinted at reducing tariffs on Indian exports, citing India's reduced purchases of Russian oil, which has been a point of contention for Washington. This visit is seen as a crucial step in bolstering maritime ties and countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific.