Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took the internet by storm as she showcased her social media savvy, posting a striking selfie with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on her official Instagram account. The 46-year-old Italian leader drew attention not just for the snapshot but also for her clever caption featuring the hashtag #Melodi, a playful fusion of the surnames of the two influential leaders.
The snapshot, capturing the two powerful figures at the ongoing COP28 climate summit in Dubai, UAE, resonated strongly with netizens, amassing over 110,000 likes and numerous comments within a short span, reflecting their popularity on digital platforms.
PM Modi reciprocated the camaraderie, sharing a photo and expressing aspirations for a sustainable and prosperous future for India and Italy. His tweet from X (formerly Twitter) underscored the joint efforts of the two nations towards this shared goal.
The rapport between Meloni and Modi isn't new; it was first highlighted at the G20 Summit in Delhi earlier this year, where the two leaders were seen exchanging pleasantries, sharing laughter, and engaging in a warm handshake. Meloni also extended birthday wishes to PM Modi, lauding his commitment to shaping the future and honoring India's rich history.
Their relationship extends beyond social media gestures. Meloni's prior visits to India, including her March trip coinciding with the diamond anniversary of bilateral ties, underscored the strengthening bond between the two nations.
During the COP28 Summit, PM Modi engaged in bilateral talks with several global leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu.
In his address at the summit, PM Modi emphasized the urgency for collective efforts to reduce emissions, advocating for a 'green credit' initiative aimed at fostering carbon neutrality—an important step towards environmental sustainability.