#Melodi: Prime Minister Modi and Italian PM Meloni’s camaraderie at the COP28 summit in Dubai delights netizens

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a selfie with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, which went viral on social media, expressing delight in meeting friends, as the photo was taken during the COP28 summit in Dubai. The Italian PM, along with the hashtag ‘Melodi’, has been dubbed selfie of the year’ by social media users.

PM Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have been praised for their camaraderie since their interaction at the G20 summit. Modi shared a photo from their interaction and expressed his hope for collaboration between India and Italy for a sustainable and prosperous future. Modi also attended the World Climate Action Summit and attended the Presidency’s session on Transforming Climate Finance and a Leadership Group for Industry Transition event in Dubai. He proposed India as the venue for the 2028 edition of the UN climate talks, and if accepted, it would be the next big global conference in India after the G20 Summit. India hosted COP8 in 2002, where countries adopted the Delhi Ministerial Declaration, calling for developed countries to transfer technology and minimize the impact of climate change on developing countries.

How does #Melodi work?

Italian PM Meloni has used the hashtag #Melodi to express the friendly bond between the two leaders at global events. The short form, which initially conveyed the bond, has gained traction and made headlines. The Italian PM’s social media post has garnered over 5,07,015 likes and thousands of comments, showcasing the popularity and appeal of both leaders.

During the COP28 summit, Prime Ministers Modi and Meloni met in Dubai to discuss sustainable solutions to climate change and environmental issues. Modi shared a picture of them on his X account, expressing trust in India and Italy’s joint efforts for a prosperous and sustainable future. The two leaders shared their views on the sidelines of the summit.

Modi’s speech at the COP28 summit sparked a divide among netizens, with some viewing bilateral relations in a positive light, while others reduced the meeting to meme material. Modi urged global cooperation in reducing emissions and promoting a ‘green credit’ program,emphasizing the creation of carbon sinks. His speech underscored the need for joint efforts to combat climate change effectively.

India-Italy Historical Relations

Both the countries, India and Italy had established political relations in 1947, marking a significant milestone in their diplomatic ties. Post that, both countries have signed many MoUs in sectors ranging from energy, media, finance, etc. Italy is also one of the top trading partners of India in the European Union.

Concerning military cooperation, exercises like Milan and INS Tabar’s recent naval engagement have strengthened ties with Italy in the defense arena. Even concerning Indians living in Italy, the Indian population is about 200,000 people, according to many sources.

At the COP28 Summit, PM Modi

Modi and his Italian counterpart expressed their commitment to a prosperous future, highlighting the need for collaboration between India and Italy to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future in the face of global climate challenges.

Modi attended the COP28 summit and the ceremonial opening of the high-level segment for heads of state/government. He attended the Presidency’s session on Transforming Climate Finance, the Green Credits Programme, and a Leadership Group for Industry Transition. Modi held bilateral meetings with 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 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Giorgia Meloni’s initial trip to India

Italian Prime Minister, Modi, visited India in March and praised him as the most loved leader globally, highlighting his significant contributions as one of the most respected leaders. This visit demonstrates Modi’s exceptional leadership skills and his significant influence among global leaders.

PM Modi congratulated Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on her historic visit to India. Meloni became the first woman and youngest Prime Minister of Italy, following her election victory in the last year’s elections. Modi congratulated Meloni on behalf of Indians for her historic achievement.