Melody Hai Diplomacy: The Story of Memes, Hashtags and the Modi-Meloni Friendship
The exchange went viral online and revived the “Melodi” nickname as the leaders prepared for bilateral talks on strengthening India-Italy ties.
- On Wednesday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shared a video showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifting her a packet of Parle Melody toffees in Rome, with both leaders laughing as they identified the treat in unison.
- Modi arrived in Rome on Tuesday to conclude a five-nation tour, meeting Prime Minister Meloni for dinner and a tour of The Colosseum; the candid moment reignited the viral 'Melodi' trend coined during the 2024 G7 Summit.
- Parle Products, the Mumbai-based company manufacturing the toffee, joined the online buzz by posting on social media: "Sweetening relationships since 1983."
- Beyond the light-hearted exchange, the leaders met to strengthen India-Italy ties; Modi said he was looking forward to formal talks on Wednesday to boost the bilateral friendship.
- The visit also highlighted cultural exchanges when Modi met Italian painter Giampaolo Tomassetti, who presented work on Varanasi, and noted that Indian music featuring Sitar and Tabla by Italian artists is becoming popular across Italy.
65 Articles
65 Articles
The Indian Prime Minister presents a pack of caramel chocolate toffees to his hostess in Rome. They don't happen to be called "Melody". This causes a stir – and a surprise.
‘Nothing short of a miracle’: How primetime TV lost its mind over a one-rupee toffee
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Modi gifted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni a packet of Melody toffees. Meloni posted a video. It went viral. And primetime Indian television, in a moment of collective editorial judgment, went what kids these days call “ape s**t”.Thank you for the gift pic.twitter.com/7ePxbJwPbA— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) May 20, 2026 On state broadcaster DD News, Sudhir Chaudhary reported that the video crossed 9.8…
Toffees and selfies: 'Melodi' duo steal spotlight at Italy-India talks
A Colosseum selfie and a pack of toffees triggered a series of memes that lit up the internet on Wednesday, as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed her Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, ahead of talks in Rome. Modi, who arrived late on Tuesday and visited the Colosseum with the Italian leader, gave Meloni a pack of toffees branded "Melody," as the two sought to cement their already close ties. A video published by Meloni on social med…
Meloni and Modi 'Melodi' duo steal spotlight at Italy-India talks as viral toffee video sparks memes
ROME/NEW DELHI: A Colosseum selfie and a pack of toffees triggered a series of memes that lit up the internet on Wednesday, as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi ahead of talks in Rome.Modi, who arrived late on Tuesday and visited the Colosseum with the Italian leader, gave Meloni a pack of toffees branded "Melody," as the two sought to cement their already close ties.A video published by Meloni …
The USA, China and Iran are increasingly welding India and Europe together: during his European tour, the Prime Minister of his girlfriend Meloni presents Melody-Toffees in Rome, and in the far north, he showed interest in the Arctic and green technology. However, the trip was about more than good images and symbolism, but rather about tangible agreements. In this way, Indians and Europeans are also preparing for a meeting with Trump in June.
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