Kananaskis, Canada – On the sidelines of the 51st G7 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shared an informal yet heartfelt moment that quickly captured global attention.
Eyewitness footage captured Meloni warmly complimenting Modi, declaring, “You are the best. I’m trying to be as you.” The light-hearted exchange—set against the scenic Rocky Mountains—was followed by a friendly handshake and broad smiles
Both leaders later took to X (formerly Twitter) to acknowledge their strengthened ties:
Meloni: “Italy and India, linked by a great friendship.”
Modi: “Fully agree with you, PM Giorgia Meloni. India’s friendship with Italy will continue to get stronger, greatly benefitting our people!”
Their informal camaraderie—dubbed the “Melodi moment”—first caught the internet’s imagination during COP28 and the G20, and has once again sparked memes and a viral wave under the revived “#Melodi” hashtag
Beyond the fanfare, this meetup sets the tone for deeper cooperation. Both leaders touched on key global issues, including counter‑terrorism and priorities of the Global South, underlining the importance of personal rapport in international diplomacy
This marks Modi’s sixth consecutive G7 attendance and his first visit to Canada in a decade. Welcomed with a ceremonial reception by Canadian PM Mark Carney and participation in delegates’ photo sessions, Modi’s presence underscores India’s rising global profile
