Team 'Melodi' woos India as Meloni-Modi video goes viral

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi traveled to Italy for the G7 summit, it wasn't his diplomatic meetings that grabbed headlines in India, but rather his relationship with the Italian Prime Minister.

"Hello from the 'Melodi' team," Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a video shared on social media, waving alongside Modi, her fellow right-wing leader, both sporting broad smiles.

The two leaders have cultivated a visible friendship, evident during previous events like the G20 summit in India last year and the COP28 climate talks in Dubai.

Modi, who reposted Meloni's video and praised the ties between Rome and New Delhi in Italian, was at Borgo Egnazia during the G7 summit, attended by Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States.

He mentioned having meetings with Meloni to enhance relations "in areas like commerce, energy, defence, telecoms and more."

However, back in India, it was the brief Modi-Meloni video that stole the spotlight on Sunday, sparking a wave of memes and videos on social media depicting a fictionalized relationship between the two leaders.

In this imaginary narrative, they've become central figures in an internet love story that includes betrayals, heartaches, and joyful moments.

AI-generated videos, viewed by millions, humorously portray Modi serenading whenever Meloni appears with another political leader.

Yet, newspapers were quick to temper enthusiasm and critique the situation.

"Like other women in high offices, Meloni is being seen through a male prism –- hot or not?" read the editorial in the Times of India.

"No matter her influence or achievements, a woman can still be reduced to such demeaning perspectives," it continued.

"The discourse around Meloni underscores that deep-rooted misogyny persists."