The Melodi timeline: from selfie to soft power

The friendship began at the G20 in Bali (2022), ignited at COP28 in Dubai (2023), went viral at the G20 in New Delhi (2023), warmed again at G7 Canada (2025), and landed a toffee-powered diplomatic coup in Rome (2026). Each interaction added a layer — moving from social media virality to concrete action plans in trade, defence, space, and counter-terrorism.

#Melodi

2022 Bali, Indonesia

G20 Bali — First Meeting

Modi and Meloni hold their first bilateral conversation on the sidelines of the G20 in Bali — the quiet beginning of an unlikely diplomatic bond.

2023 Dubai, UAE

COP28 Dubai — #Melodi is Born

Meloni posts the selfie that starts everything. Indian social media adopts #Melodi as their own, turning a candid moment into a cultural phenomenon.

2023 New Delhi, India

G20 New Delhi — Strategic Partnership Elevated

India and Italy formally upgrade ties to a Strategic Partnership. Bilateral agreements on defence, cyber, and space are signed — virality translating into policy.

2025 Kananaskis, Canada

G7 Kananaskis — "Friendship will keep getting stronger"

Modi and Meloni meet at the G7 in Canada. The hashtag trends again. The Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism is adopted — a concrete milestone.

2026 Rome, Italy

Rome — The Melody Moment

Modi presents Meloni with Melody toffees. Her video reaction goes global, and exports data trends on financial news pages within 24 hours — soft power perfected.