Meloni Details Warm 2023 India Visit and Diplomatic Secrets in Book

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has disclosed the exceptional reception she experienced during her official 2023 travel to India. Major roadways throughout New Delhi were adorned with large banners displaying her image alongside the word ‘Welcome’. Upon her departure, those identical signs were updated to read ‘Thank you for visiting.’

This specific recollection is featured in Giorgia’s Vision, a newly released publication compiled from extensive interviews conducted by journalist Alessandro Sallusti, according to a report by the PTI news agency. This grand public display even prompted a lighthearted remark from the Deputy Prime Minister of Italy, Antonio Tajani. “With all these posters, if you ran for the New Delhi constituency, you’d get a million votes,” Tajani joked, as documented in the book.

Reflecting on her high-profile bilateral mission in March 2023, Meloni noted that the sheer scale of the hospitality completely exceeded her initial expectations.

“When I arrived, there was a poster with my face and the word ‘Welcome’ every few feet along the road. When I left, the posters showed the same image, but now read ‘Thank you for visiting’.”

Meloni finalized two distinct diplomatic missions to India during 2023. She initially arrived in March to participate as the chief guest at the eighth iteration of the prestigious Raisina Dialogue. She subsequently returned to New Delhi in September 2023 to attend the critical G20 Leaders’ Summit hosted under the Indian presidency.

HOW ‘MELODI’ TOOK OVER SOCIAL MEDIA

Her official engagements alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi rapidly transformed into a genuine personal friendship. This visible comfort and mutual respect quickly captured global digital attention, prompting internet users to enthusiastically create the viral ‘Melodi’ moniker by fusing their surnames.

This undeniable diplomatic chemistry has regularly trended across social networks and major international forums. During an official visit to Rome in May, Modi delighted Meloni by gifting her a package of classic Melody chocolate candies, directly acknowledging the widespread internet phenomenon. Thrilled by the witty gesture, Meloni recorded a video showcasing the candy, laughing while stating, “Prime Minister Modi brought us a gift… Melody.”

Furthermore, during the high-level G7 Summit held in France earlier this month, both prime ministers were observed sharing an informal conversation just before assembling for the official family photograph. During a brief unmuted microphone exchange that immediately trended online, Meloni smiled broadly at Modi, stating, “We are the most famous couple on Instagram.”

THE SECRET TO DIPLOMACY

Within the specific book section titled Head Held High Among the World Greats, Meloni asserts that impactful international relations are never forged exclusively through rigid official assemblies or rehearsed speeches. Instead, she firmly believes that authentic personal trust serves as the true foundation for enduring state partnerships.

“A few witty words, a personal story, a common interest — it can make all the difference,” she wrote.

The autobiography includes numerous behind-the-scenes vignettes validating this philosophy. Meloni describes how unscripted dialogue, shared personal pastimes, and spontaneous acts of kindness allowed her to secure deep trust among her international peers.

One highly personal encounter involved Tunisian President Kais Saied.

Meloni explains that following an intense, two-hour bilateral negotiation session, Saied invited her to view the Mediterranean coastline from his private compound. Having recently resumed smoking after a 13-year period of cessation, she tentatively inquired if she could light a cigarette.

This casual request instantly dissolved the rigid institutional atmosphere.

“He was overjoyed! He pulled out his own pack of cigarettes, and that coffee and cigarette break became our moment,” she recalled.

According to Meloni, several of her most robust international partnerships were sparked during these spontaneous intermissions rather than at formal boardroom tables.

HOW SMALL GESTURES CREATED BIG BONDS

The Italian prime minister went on to outline multiple instances where small gestures forged profound bonds with prominent international figures.

She characterized Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama as one of the most uniquely engaging and unscripted leaders she has interacted with. Fluent in the Italian language, Rama frequently communicates directly with her regarding pressing geopolitical shifts and current regional developments.

Similarly, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who shares her deep interest in premium Italian viticulture, once astonished her by delivering a striking arrangement of orange roses to celebrate her birthday.

The late Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida similarly generated an enduring positive memory. While hosting the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, he presented Meloni’s young daughter, Ginevra, with an oversized Hello Kitty plush toy.

Another highly unique engagement took place within Central Europe.

“When I visited Warsaw, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki — knowing how much I love Tolkien — took me for a coffee at a cafe themed after ‘The Lord of the Rings’. We stood there talking about a huge, gorgeous map of Middle-earth,” she added.

Meloni also expressed deep gratitude toward Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Prior to her arrival for state talks in Rome, he ordered her official autobiography, I am Giorgia, to be meticulously translated into the Uzbek language, presenting her with a premium, custom-bound copy.

History of India-Italy Strategic Relations

The growing personal rapport between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni mirrors a broader institutional alignment between New Delhi and Rome. Over the last few years, the bilateral relationship was elevated to a formal Strategic Partnership. This framework has accelerated cooperation across defense manufacturing, maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, bilateral trade, and renewable energy technology. Meloni’s back-to-back visits to India in 2023 for the Raisina Dialogue and the G20 Summit solidified Italy’s position as a key European partner in India’s global economic and strategic architecture.

FAQs

What did Italian PM Giorgia Meloni reveal about her New Delhi visit in her new book?

In her book Giorgia’s Vision, Prime Minister Meloni recalled the overwhelming welcome she received during her March 2023 visit to India. She noted that roads across New Delhi were lined with custom posters featuring her face that read ‘Welcome’ upon arrival and were changed to ‘Thank you for visiting’ when she departed.

What was the joke made by Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani regarding India?

Seeing the massive number of welcoming posters featuring Meloni’s face throughout the Indian capital, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani jokingly told her that if she chose to run for office in the New Delhi constituency, she would easily secure 1 million votes.

What is the origin of the viral term ‘Melodi’ on social media?

The term ‘Melodi’ is a playful blend of the surnames of Italian Prime Minister Meloni and Indian Prime Minister Modi. It was coined by social media users to describe the easy camaraderie, friendly chemistry, and strong diplomatic rapport shared by the two leaders during international summits.

How many times did Giorgia Meloni travel to India in 2026 and recent years?

Prime Minister Meloni traveled to India twice during the landmark year of 2023. Her first trip occurred in March to serve as the chief guest at the eighth edition of the Raisina Dialogue, and her second trip took place in September to participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

What is Giorgia Meloni’s core philosophy on successful global diplomacy?

Meloni believes that successful diplomacy is built on genuine personal connections, shared interests, and informal moments rather than just official meetings and formal speeches. In her book, she emphasizes that small gestures, witty words, and casual breaks are what truly build lasting trust between world leaders.