Narendra Modi and Giorgia Meloni once again grabbed global social media attention during their meeting in Rome.
May 20, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared viral moments with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after arriving in Rome for the final leg of his five-nation tour. Pictures of the two leaders posing together against the backdrop of iconic Italian streets and the Colosseum quickly went viral online, with social media users once again reviving the popular “Melodi” trend.
Modi said he had the opportunity to meet Meloni over dinner and later visit the historic Colosseum, where both leaders exchanged views on strengthening India-Italy relations. Meloni welcomed Modi to Rome with a social media post calling him “my friend,” continuing the warm public camaraderie that has repeatedly drawn online attention during their meetings at international events.
During his visit, Modi also received a grand welcome from the Indian community in Italy. Cultural performances by Italian artists included Kathak, Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam, while musicians performed Indian classical music using instruments such as the Santoor, Tabla, Sitar and Bansuri. The Prime Minister praised the artists and highlighted the growing cultural connection between India and Italy during his European outreach tour.