US Navy Secretary hails India for resolving maritime disputes peacefully

New Delhi [India], Dec 22 (ANI): United States Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer has hailed India for peacefully resolving maritime border disputes and said the relationship between two countries is based on shared values and desire to preserve peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and across the seas.

"U.S. Secretary of the Navy arrived here on Friday and held meetings with with Foreign Secretary Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba to discuss the growing cooperation between our navies and our shared commitment to the rule of law, freedom of navigation, and free and fair trade," said the US embassy in India in a press release.

"The relationship between the United States and India is based on our shared values and desire to preserve peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and across the seas," said the US Secretary of the Navy.

"India is a model for peacefully resolving maritime border disputes and a strong provider of security. We look forward once again to joining the Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force in the Malabar exercise to be hosted in the Pacific next year," he added.

This is Spencer's first visit to India as Secretary of the U.S. Navy and he will be departing on Saturday. (ANI)