PM Narendra Modi’s light‑hearted exchange with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni — featuring Melody toffees and a Colosseum selfie — sparks internet craze and brand buzz.
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During official talks in Rome, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni a packet of popular Indian Melody toffees, a moment that quickly turned into a viral sensation on social media. In a video later shared by Meloni, she thanked Modi with a smile and described the toffee as “very, very good,” leading to more than 100 million views within hours of being posted.
The playful gesture revived the long‑running online “Melodi” meme — a portmanteau of their names — and sparked a wave of memes, reels and jokes across platforms like X and Instagram. Many users celebrated the friendly chemistry between the two leaders, while quick‑commerce platforms reported Melody toffee selling out amid the buzz.
Brands also jumped on the moment: Parle Products, maker of the toffee, officially thanked Modi for “taking Melody to the global stage,” and social media trends boosted unrelated stocks after investors mistakenly bought shares in similar‑named companies.
However, the viral exchange wasn’t without controversy, with some critics in India questioning the timing of such light‑hearted attention amid ongoing economic concerns.
Beyond the internet buzz, the leaders continued formal talks on trade, defence and cooperation, emphasising strengthened Italy‑India ties alongside the lighter diplomatic moment.
