Melodi makes waves at G7: Meloni’s ‘most famous couple’ quip to Modi goes viral

Whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni meet, they make sure they leave something for the Instagram-friendly generations to go gaga about.

After Modi’s visit to Italy in May, when the duo’s selfies, Modi’s Melody toffee gift to Meloni, and her subsequent video went viral on social media, the two world leaders have once again met face to face at the ongoing G7 summit in France’s Evian-les-Baines.

And a candid moment from the sidelines of the meeting, when the attending world leaders met for the traditional group photo, has also gone viral. In the audio, the 49-year-old Meloni can be heard saying, “Yeah, we are the most famous couple…”

The Melodi phenomenon that never gets boring

The reference was likely to their viral ‘Melody’ moment from May. In a good-humoured gesture alluding to the portmanteau “Melodi” (Meloni+Modi), which the leaders are often referred to by netizens, Modi gifted the Italian prime minister a packet of Parle’s Melody toffees during his visit.

Also read: Modi’s ‘Melody moment': Is foreign policy being reduced to viral moments?

Meloni showed her light-hearted side by posting a video of the moment on Instagram, which crossed 100 million views within six hours and has since gone on to garner 13 million likes. “Prime Minister Modi brought us a gift. A very, very good toffee,” Meloni says in the video before holding up the packet. “Melody,” says Modi and the duo share a hearty laugh.

The ‘Melodi’ phenomenon began in November 2023 during the COP28 summit in Dubai. Meloni was the one to post a selfie with Modi on Instagram, captioning it “Good friends at COP28 #Melodi”. Internet lapped up the hashtag at once, generating memes and countless viral posts.

Since then, netizens have kept a hawk eye on the duo’s social media handles whenever they interact. And they never disappoint.

Beyond the jokes: Strengthening strategic ties

Beyond the toffees and selfies, India and Italy have advanced their partnership under the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029, which prioritises collaboration in trade, investment, defence, clean energy, innovation, science and technology, and cultural ties.

Bilateral trade between India and Italy touched USD 16.77 billion in 2025, while Italian foreign direct investment in India amounted to USD 3.66 billion between April 2000 and September 2025.

Also read: Rahul targets PM Modi over ‘Melody’ toffee gift to Giorgia Meloni

Meanwhile, G7 leaders jointly pledged stronger action against global drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational organised crime. Their measures aim to bolster maritime security, dismantle illicit financial networks, and safeguard institutions from infiltration by criminal groups.