Rome – Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with a distinctively Indian gift during his visit to the Italian capital: a packet of Parley’s Melody toffees. Meloni shared a video of the light-hearted exchange on her social media platforms, captioning it simply with “Thank you for the gift.”
In the clip, both leaders are seen holding the packet of the popular Indian confectionery as they share a laugh referencing the popular internet trend. Users on social media frequently employ the hashtag “Melodi” to celebrate the warm personal rapport between the two prime ministers. In the video, Meloni remarks that Prime Minister Modi had brought “a very, very good toffee,” to which Modi promptly responds, “Melody.”
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The gesture came shortly after Modi’s arrival in Rome on Tuesday, marking the final stop of his five-nation tour. The two leaders first met over dinner and later visited the historic Colosseum, where they held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral and global issues.
Prime Minister Modi later posted on X about the engagements, noting, “Upon landing in Rome, had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Meloni over dinner, followed by a visit to the iconic Colosseum. We exchanged perspectives on a wide range of subjects. Looking forward to our talks today, where we will continue the conversation on how to boost the India-Italy friendship.”
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Meloni, for her part, welcomed Modi warmly on social media with the message, “Welcome to Rome, my friend!” She also shared images from their time together at the Colosseum.
Beyond the diplomatic warmth, Modi acknowledged Italian artist Giampaolo Tomassetti, who gifted him a striking painting of Varanasi (also known as Kashi). In his post on X, the Prime Minister highlighted Tomassetti’s long-standing dedication to Indian culture, spanning over four decades. This includes his work as an illustrator for books on Vedic culture in the 1980s and a series of 23 large paintings on the Mahabharata between 2008 and 2013.
Modi’s Italy visit underscores the growing momentum in India-Italy ties. Both nations are advancing the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029, which covers cooperation in trade, investment, defence and security, clean energy, innovation, science and technology, and people-to-people links. Bilateral trade reached USD 16.77 billion in 2025, while cumulative Foreign Direct Investment from Italy into India stood at USD 3.66 billion between April 2000 and September 2025.
The Melody exchange has added a memorable, relatable touch to the high-level engagements, resonating with audiences familiar with the leaders’ friendly online persona.