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India and Sri Lanka signed a deal on nuclear cooperation Monday during the first official visit to India by Sri Lanka's new leader, Sputnik reports.

The deal will facilitate bilateral cooperation in the transfer and exchange of knowledge, and the sharing of resources in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The two countries will also cooperate on nuclear safety, radioactive waste management and environmental protection.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also agreed to expand defense cooperation.

“President and I also agreed to expand our defense and security cooperation. We welcomed the progress in our maritime security cooperation including in the trilateral format with the Maldives,” Modi said, following talks with the Sri Lankan leader.

Modi told reporters that he and Sirisena “agreed to unlock the vast economic potential between India and Sri Lanka.”

The Indian leader stated that he is “eagerly looking forward” to visit Sri Lanka in March, while Sirisena noted that Modi's upcoming trip would be a “blessing and honor” for his country.

“This visit has given fruitful results and will give our friendship a new height,” the Sri Lankan leader said.

Sirisena’s first foreign trip after being elected president in January resulted in a total of four agreements with New Delhi, including an agricultural deal.