New Delhi (IANS): Indian Navy chief Admiral Robin Dhowan began a four-day visit to Canada Tuesday to foster closer ties between the two countries’ marine forces.

Dhowan is visiting Canada on the invitation of the commander of Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and reciprocates a visit by the RCN commander to India in January 2013, a navy release said.

During his visit, the navy chief was to visit Esquimalt Naval Base at Victoria, the headquarters of the Maritime Forces Pacific of the Canadian Navy.

At Ottawa, Dhowan was to have bilateral meetings with senior officers of Canadian Forces including the officiating Chief of Defence Staff Lt Gen G. R. Thibault and RCN commander Vice Admiral M.A.G. Norman.

The release said that the visit is aimed at fostering closer navy-to-navy ties with Canada and explore avenues for enhancing cooperation between the two forces.