India and South Korea have signed a nuclear cooperation deal that allows Korean companies to participate in atomic power plant projects in India.

The agreement was signed Monday during Indian President Pratibha Patil's visit to Seoul, after she met with South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak.

South Korea operates 20 nuclear plants that generate around 35 percent of its electricity needs. It is keen to export its technology to country with a growing economy like India.

Ms. Patil is on a week-long tour of South Korea and Mongolia.