Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he sees an “opportunity” to engage with the new Indian government, including on economic ties and national security, after meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G-7 summit in Italy.

Speaking to Canadian media on Tuesday, Trudeau said the best thing about the G-7 summit is that “you get to interact directly with different leaders who have a variety of issues to talk about and of course with India, there are deep people-to-people ties, those really important economic ties.”

“There is agreement on a lot of big issues that we need to work on as a democracy and as a global community. But now that he (Modi) has won the election, I think there is an opportunity for us to have a conversation, including some very serious issues related to national security and the safety of Canadians and the rule of law,” the Canadian Prime Minister was quoted as saying by CBC News.

Prime Minister Modi and Justin Trudeau held a brief conversation on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in Apulia, Italy. This was their first face-to-face meeting after Trudeau in September last year alleged “possible” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Sikh terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Later, Prime Minister Modi posted a photo of the two leaders shaking hands on social media, with a line saying “Met Canadian PM Justin Trudeau at the G7 Summit.”

When asked if he had seen improvement in cooperation from India in the Canadian investigation into the killing of Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, Trudeau said: “There is a lot of work going on.”

India had strongly rejected Trudeau’s allegations last year, calling them “absurd and motivated”.

In turn, New Delhi has accused Canada of providing unhindered shelter to pro-Khalistan elements operating from its soil.

India has repeatedly conveyed its “deep concerns” to Canada and New Delhi expects Ottawa to take strong action against such elements.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is investigating Nijjar’s murder. The RCMP has arrested four Indian citizens in this connection.