Video: Modi gifts 'Melody' toffee to Italian counterpart Meloni
What's the story
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Italy as part of his five-nation tour, gifted a packet of Melody Toffee to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The gesture came as the two leaders' camaraderie is often referred to as "Melodi," a portmanteau of their surnames. PM Meloni shared a video on social media where she called the toffee "a very, very good toffee."
Diplomatic dinner
PM Modi's dinner meeting with PM Meloni
Earlier, PM Modi had a dinner meeting with PM Meloni in Rome after arriving in Italy. The two leaders also visited the iconic Colosseum, where they discussed various issues. Sharing details of the visit on X, PM Modi wrote: "Upon landing in Rome, had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Meloni over dinner, followed by a visit to the iconic Colosseum."
Twitter Post
Watch video here
Thank you for the gift pic.twitter.com/7ePxbJwPbA
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) May 20, 2026
Growing partnership
India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029
PM Modi's visit comes at a time when India and Italy are working to advance their Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029. The plan focuses on cooperation in key sectors such as trade, which reached $16.77 billion in 2025, and foreign direct investment, which reached $3.66 billion between April 2000 and September 2025. Defense, clean energy, and innovation science and technology are also part of this partnership framework.
Global tour
PM Modi's 5-nation tour
Amid Modi's visit, the Italian Parliament also officially recognized the Italian Hindu Union, Sanatana Dharma Samgha, as a registered religious denomination. Before his visit to Italy, PM Modi was in Norway as part of a five-nation tour. He had earlier visited Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates. The tour is part of India's diplomatic outreach efforts to strengthen ties with various countries across the globe.