G7 Summit: Giorgia Meloni's 'Most Famous Couple on Instagram' Joke to PM Modi Grabs Spotlight

A light-hearted exchange between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France has once again captured the Internet's attention, reviving the popular "Melodi" phenomenon that has become a social media sensation over the past few years.

What Happened at the G7 Summit?

During an informal interaction at the G7 Summit in Evian, France, Meloni was caught on a hot mic greeting Prime Minister Modi with a humorous remark.

"We're the most famous couple on Instagram..." Meloni told PM Modi while greeting him at the summit.

The playful comment quickly spread across social media platforms, with users linking it to the long-running online fascination with the cordial relationship between the two leaders.

What Is the 'Melodi' Phenomenon?

The nickname "Melodi" emerged online by combining the names of Meloni and Modi. The term gained popularity after several friendly interactions between the two leaders were shared on social media, generating memes, reels and widespread internet engagement.

The trend received another boost during PM Modi's visit to Italy when he gifted Meloni a packet of Melody toffees, a gesture widely seen as a reference to the viral "Melodi" nickname. The moment quickly became an online sensation, with related videos attracting millions of views.

How Have India and Italy's Ties Evolved?

Beyond the social media buzz, India and Italy have significantly strengthened their bilateral relationship in recent years.

Prime Minister Modi recently elevated India-Italy relations to a Special Strategic Partnership, reflecting deeper cooperation in areas including trade, technology, defence, energy and global governance.

The friendly rapport between the two leaders has often been viewed as a reflection of the growing strategic engagement between New Delhi and Rome.

Another Viral Moment: Meloni on Quitting Smoking

Meloni also drew attention at the summit for discussing her decision to quit smoking.

According to a clip shared by EuroNews, the Italian Prime Minister told fellow G7 leaders that she had stopped smoking a month earlier.

The discussion recalled an earlier exchange involving Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had urged her to quit.

"You look great. But I have to make you stop smoking," Erdogan told Meloni, according to footage published by Italian daily Il Foglio and other media.

French President Emmanuel Macron responded with a laugh, saying:

"It's impossible!"

Acknowledging the challenge, Meloni replied: "I know, I know,"

She then joked about the potential side effects of quitting smoking: "I don't want to kill somebody."

The candid exchange has also gained traction online, adding to Meloni's reputation for mixing political diplomacy with moments of humour.

What Else Did G7 Leaders Discuss?

Beyond the viral moments, the G7 Summit focused heavily on international security concerns.

Leaders adopted a declaration committing to stronger cooperation against global drug trafficking networks, money laundering operations and transnational organised crime.

"We, the Leaders of the G7, are committed to intensifying our fight against drug trafficking," the declaration stated.

The statement, supported by partner countries Brazil and South Korea, warned that record levels of drug production, increasingly adaptable criminal networks and growing global demand are fuelling the expansion of international trafficking operations.

G7 leaders emphasised that stronger international cooperation and evidence-based policies will be essential to tackling both the supply and demand sides of the global drug trade.

(With inputs from ANI)