Playful exchange between Indian and Italian PMs during Rome visit sparks meme fest online
A light-hearted moment between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has once again sent social media into a frenzy, with users reviving the viral “#Melodi” trend.
During Modi’s visit to Rome, the Indian Prime Minister was seen gifting a pack of iconic Indian Melody toffees to Meloni in a playful reference to the internet-famous hashtag combining their surnames.
‘Very, Very Good Toffee’
In the viral clip shared online, Modi, dressed in a blue bandhgala suit, handed over the toffees to Meloni, who was seen smiling and laughing during the exchange.
Sharing the video on social media, Meloni wrote, “Thank you for the gift.”
In the clip, she can also be heard saying, “Prime Minister Modi brought us a gift… very, very good toffee,” triggering laughter between the two leaders.
Internet Explodes Over ‘Ultimate #Melodi Moment’
The video quickly went viral across social media platforms, drawing massive engagement within minutes of being posted.
Users flooded X and Instagram with memes, jokes and edited clips, with many calling it the “ultimate #Melodi moment”.
Screenshots from the interaction rapidly spread online as people praised the leaders’ friendly chemistry and Modi’s apparent nod to one of the internet’s most popular political memes.
How ‘#Melodi’ Became A Viral Trend
The “#Melodi” phenomenon first exploded during the COP28 summit in Dubai in 2023.
At the time, Giorgia Meloni had posted a selfie with Modi captioned: “Good friends at COP28 #Melodi.”
The hashtag immediately went viral, inspiring countless memes, fan edits and social media posts in both India and Italy.
Since then, almost every public interaction between the two leaders — from G7 meetings to bilateral events — has reignited the trend online.
Melody Toffee Adds Nostalgia Factor
The gift also struck a nostalgic chord with Indian users.
Melody, produced by Parle Products, is one of India’s most recognisable candies and is famous for its long-running slogan: “Melody itni chocolaty kyun hai?”
The candy has remained deeply embedded in Indian pop culture for decades, making the gesture even more relatable for social media users.
Modi In Italy For Final Leg Of Diplomatic Tour
The viral moment came during Modi’s visit to Italy as part of the final leg of his five-nation diplomatic tour.
During the trip, Modi met Meloni for bilateral talks, attended official engagements and visited landmarks including the Colosseum.
Apart from the social media buzz, the visit is also expected to strengthen India-Italy cooperation in trade, defence, connectivity and strategic sectors.