Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford said a long-term strategic security relationship with India is "critical" to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean.<br/>'<br/><br/>Dunford told lawmakers before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington today while calling for strengthening of defence ties between the two countries.He said the US and India should continue to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest like maritime security.<br/>'<br/><br/>Dunford said we should also continue to strengthen our defence<br/>relationship by pursuing opportunities to co-develop and co- produce defence technology under the US-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative.<br/><br/>'''''''<br/>