‘Melodi’ Trend Returns at G7 Summit: PM Narendra Modi and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni Share Light-Hearted Moment in France
A brief yet warm interaction between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, once again captured the internet’s attention and revived the popular “Melodi” trend on social media.
The leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) had gathered in France on Tuesday to deliberate on a range of pressing global issues, including geopolitical tensions, support for Ukraine and the recent agreement between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the conflict in West Asia.
However, amid discussions on major international challenges, it was a friendly exchange between Modi and Meloni that quickly became one of the most talked-about moments online.
A Light-Hearted Exchange Goes Viral
As world leaders assembled for the customary group photograph, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Meloni greeted each other warmly. A video of the interaction soon began circulating widely across social media platforms.
During the brief conversation, Modi appeared to make a humorous reference to the immense popularity that he and Meloni enjoy on social media. Responding with a smile, Meloni reportedly remarked:
“Yes, we are the most famous couple on Instagram.”
The playful comment immediately reignited the “Melodi” phenomenon, prompting another wave of memes, posts and reactions from social media users across the globe.
How the ‘Melodi’ Trend Began
The term “Melodi” is a portmanteau created by combining the surnames of Meloni and Modi. What initially started as an internet joke eventually evolved into one of the most recognisable social media trends associated with the two leaders.
The trend first gained momentum following a bilateral meeting between Modi and Meloni in 2023.
Its popularity soared during the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai, when Meloni posted a selfie with the Indian Prime Minister on social media with the caption:
“Good friends at COP28 #Melodi.”
The post quickly went viral, inspiring countless memes, fan edits and humorous content across various social media platforms. Since then, the hashtag has resurfaced almost every time the two leaders have met at international events.
Meloni Continues to Embrace the Viral Trend
Rather than distancing herself from the internet phenomenon, Prime Minister Meloni has repeatedly embraced the trend.
In 2024, she once again used the hashtag in a social media post. She revived it yet again in June 2025, sharing a selfie video featuring her interactions with Modi at the G7 Summit and captioning it:
“Hello, from the Melodi team.”
The post further cemented the playful and friendly online narrative surrounding the two leaders and once again generated widespread engagement among social media users.
Melody Toffees Add Another Chapter to the Story
The “Melodi” trend received another boost last month during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Rome.
During the visit, Modi presented Meloni with a packet of Parle’s Melody toffees, cleverly referencing the now-famous “Melodi” nickname.
A video from the meeting showed Meloni smiling as she displayed the gift and remarked:
“Prime Minister Modi brought us a gift… very, very good toffee.”
The comment triggered laughter from both leaders and delighted social media users.
The video became an online sensation, reportedly garnering more than 100 million views within six hours and accumulating over 13 million likes, making it one of the most widely viewed clips from the visit.
During the same trip, Modi and Meloni also toured the historic Colosseum in Rome, further contributing to the growing public interest in their cordial interactions.
Warm Diplomatic Relations Beyond Social Media
At the G7 Summit in France, Meloni was also heard greeting Modi with the words:
“Nice to meet you again.”
While the “Melodi” trend has become a favourite topic on social media, the relationship between India and Italy extends far beyond internet humour and viral moments.
Over the years, the two countries have significantly strengthened their diplomatic and economic engagement. Bilateral trade between India and Italy has exceeded $16.77 billion, reflecting the growing importance of the partnership.
Both nations are also collaborating on the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) initiative, a strategic connectivity project aimed at enhancing trade, infrastructure and economic integration between Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific region.
Under the proposed framework, Italy is expected to serve as an important gateway connecting Europe with emerging economic opportunities in the Indo-Pacific.
The recurring “Melodi” moments may continue to entertain social media users around the world, but they also symbolise the increasingly warm and constructive relationship between India and Italy—one that is being shaped not only by diplomatic engagement and economic cooperation but also by a touch of personal warmth and good humour between the two leaders.
