During a high-profile meeting involving US President Donald Trump, European Union leaders, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni drew attention by greeting US Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley with a traditional 'namaste'.

'Namaste', a gesture of respect from Indian culture, has been previously used by Meloni, notably during the G7 summit in Italy. A video captured a moment where PM Modi greeted Meloni and shared a brief exchange during the summit.

The friendly interactions between PM Modi and Meloni have gone viral on social media, leading to the trending hashtag #Melodi. Their rapport has been highlighted in various videos and selfies, including one from the COP28 summit in Dubai, where Meloni shared a photo with the caption, 'Good friends at COP28, #Melodi'.

Their chemistry was evident during the G20 summit in India, where social media users creatively edited videos to depict the two leaders in a humorous romantic light, complete with Bollywood music and playful captions. This friendly dynamic signifies a growing diplomatic relationship between Italy and India, with both leaders eager to collaborate on sustainability, energy, and industrial initiatives.

At the recent summit in the US, Meloni voiced her commitment to peace, stating, 'If we want to achieve peace and ensure justice, we must do so united.' She affirmed Italy's support for Ukraine, showcasing a unified front among leaders across the political spectrum, from liberal centrists like Macron to populist conservatives like Meloni.

Meloni remarked on the significance of the moment, saying, 'It is an important day — a new phase — after three years without any indication from Russia of a willingness to engage in dialogue, so something is changing — something has changed — thanks to you.'