Rome: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome during his official visit to Italy, with a selfie shared by the Italian leader from the historic Colosseum quickly gaining attention across social media platforms. Meloni posted the picture online along with a warm message referring to PM Modi as “my friend,” triggering fresh discussion around the popular “Melodi” trend that has followed the two leaders during previous international meetings.

The viral image was taken near the Colosseum after the two leaders reportedly spent time together ahead of formal bilateral discussions. Their interaction drew widespread reactions online, with users praising the friendly chemistry between the Indian and Italian prime ministers. PM Modi’s visit to Rome is part of his broader diplomatic outreach aimed at strengthening India’s ties with key global partners. During the meeting, India and Italy discussed expanding cooperation in sectors including trade, technology, clean energy, defense, and investment.

Officials said the talks focused on boosting economic collaboration and enhancing strategic relations between the two countries. Italy has emerged as an important European partner for India in recent years, especially in manufacturing and innovation-related sectors. The “Melodi” nickname, created by combining the surnames of Meloni and Modi, first became popular on social media during international events such as the G7 Summit and COP28. Since then, every public interaction between the two leaders has generated significant online engagement.

Political observers believe such informal moments between global leaders help humanize diplomacy and strengthen public perception of international partnerships. In the era of digital communication, social media interactions often play a major role in shaping global narratives alongside official policy discussions. PM Modi is expected to continue high-level diplomatic engagements during his overseas tour, with a focus on enhancing India’s global partnerships and economic cooperation with major nations.