The French Navy chief Admiral Bernard Rogel today arrived in New Delhi on a six-day visit during which he will tour naval facilities in Goa and Mumbai, besides seeing the Mazagon Dock which is building six Scorpene submarines with help of a French firm.

The admiral was received at the South Block lawns in the afternoon by Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan and accorded a ceremonial guard of honour.

Outlining the importance of his visit, Rogel said, "India has been a strategic partner to France for years." Asked if he would be visiting the Mazagon Dock Ltd, he said, "Of course. I am a submariner. We have several submarines and therefore it is important to have this sort of discussion."

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Dhowan played down the issue of docking of Chinese submarines at Sri Lankan ports. "They (Chinese submarines) are in Sri Lanka waters. They are visiting Sri Lankan ports. That is an issue between the Sri Lankan Navy and Chinese," he said, adding that the Chinese have never approached India for any replenishments for its submarines.

"It is the responsibility of the Indian Navy to safeguard the maritime interests of the country and we monitor all the activities in the maritime domain in our area of interest," he said.