Toffees and selfies: 'Melodi' duo steal spotlight at Italy-India talks

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni a pack of "Melody" toffees during talks in Rome on Wednesday, setting off a wave of viral memes across the internet., Reuters reported.

Meloni had welcomed Modi ahead of bilateral talks after the two visited the Colosseum together the previous evening. The lighthearted exchange quickly overshadowed the diplomatic agenda and drew hundreds of millions of eyeballs online.

Why did Modi gifting Meloni Melody toffees go viral?

A video posted by Meloni on social media showed her thanking Modi for the toffees as both leaders laughed heartily at the camera. She captioned the post simply: "Thank you for the gift."

Within roughly six hours, the clip drew more than 110 million views on Meloni's accounts and tens of thousands of reposts, with Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party sharing it as an example of the prime minister's sense of humor.

What is the 'Melodi' friendship between Modi and Meloni?

The nickname "Melodi," a blend of their two surnames, was coined on social media when the two leaders first met at the Group of 20 summit in New Delhi in 2023.

Meloni described their relationship during joint press statements as "a genuine friendship based on mutual respect and trust." Italy, like other European countries, has positioned India as a strategic partner, and the two leaders have maintained close ties since that first meeting.

How did Indian social media react to the Melody toffee moment?

Social media users in India marveled that such a small gesture could "break the internet," while others questioned whether two heads of government should engage in such public banter.

Brands moved quickly to capitalize on the moment. Quick-commerce firm Blinkit reported a surge in searches for "Melody," made by unlisted Indian confectionery maker Parle Products, while Air India posted a Rome-themed commercial referencing the toffee.

Shares of the unrelated Parle Industries, a real estate and infrastructure company, jumped 5% after the video was posted. Local media reported that investors may have mistaken it for the toffee maker of the same name.