• Italian PM Giorgia Meloni shares selfie with PM Modi at COP28; post goes viral

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    Italian PM Giorgia Meloni shares selfie with PM Modi at COP28; post goes viral

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shared a lighthearted moment on the sidelines of the...

    Digital Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shared a lighthearted moment on the sidelines of the COP28 global climate summit in Dubai, creating a buzz on social media.


    Meloni took to her social media account to post a selfie with PM Modi, captioning it, "Good friends at COP28. #Melodi." The post quickly gained traction, amassing over 362,000 likes and a multitude of comments from admirers.



    During their encounter, Modi expressed optimism about the collaboration between India and Italy for a sustainable and prosperous future. "Looking forward to collaborative efforts between India and Italy for a sustainable and prosperous future," said PM Modi.


    Earlier, PM Modi had addressed the opening session of the COP28 summit and participated in various high-level events, including the Presidency's session on Transforming Climate Finance, a discussion on the Green Credits Programme, and the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT).


    In addition to his interaction with Meloni, PM Modi engaged in bilateral meetings with several world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Israel President Isaac Herzog, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Jordan's King Abdullah II, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.


    The camaraderie between PM Modi and Meloni, affectionately termed '#Melodi,' first gained attention during Meloni's visit to India for the G20 Summit in September. A video of the two leaders sharing a laugh went viral, inspiring memes and video clips overlayed with Bollywood songs.


    This friendly interaction is not new, as Meloni had previously wished PM Modi on his 73rd birthday in September. Calling him a 'friend' committed to building the future, Meloni expressed her admiration for the Indian leader's dedication and pride in the history of India.


    Meloni's maiden visit to India in March of the same year was marked by praise for PM Modi, whom she declared as the most loved leader globally. "PM Modi is the most loved one of all (leaders) around the world. This is really proven that he has been a major leader, and congratulations for that," she stated during her visit.


    In return, PM Modi congratulated Meloni for becoming the first woman and youngest Prime Minister of Italy, recognizing her historic achievement. "I welcome Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on her first visit to India. In last year's elections, the people of Italy voted for her, and she became the first woman and youngest Italian Prime Minister. I congratulate her on behalf of Indians for this historic achievement," Modi said. The bond between the two leaders continues to strengthen, reflecting the amicable relations between India and Italy on the global stage.