Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shared a notable moment at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, highlighting the robust and growing India-Italy friendship. The warm exchange before the summit’s opening session underscored the strengthened bilateral ties between the two nations in recent years.
This personal camaraderie between the leaders has garnered significant attention, with PM Modi previously describing Meloni as an “extraordinary political leader who combines ideas and heart.” Their interactions often reflect shared values, a sentiment echoed in PM Modi’s preface to the Indian edition of Meloni’s book, where he cited “shared civilising instincts, such as the defence of heritage, the strength of community, and the celebration of femininity as a guiding force.”
Meloni has reciprocated these warm sentiments, expressing profound respect for PM Modi and acknowledging the strong bond between India and Italy. Their discussions have extended beyond personal rapport to strategic cooperation, including Italy’s support for the India-EU trade agreement and progress on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEEC). Both leaders also engaged on global issues, emphasizing peaceful resolutions to conflicts and discussing initiatives like India’s AI Impact Summit.
The friendly public exchanges have fueled online engagement, leading to the widely trending hashtag #Melodi, symbolizing the unique connection between the two leaders and their nations.