Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has showered praise on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, calling her an “extraordinary political leader who combines ideas and heart.” In a heartfelt preface to the Indian edition of her autobiography, I Am Giorgia – My Roots, My Principles, Modi describes the book as his own “Mann Ki Baat”—a phrase from his popular monthly radio show that means “ideas from the heart.”
Modi highlights the deep ties between India and Italy, rooted in shared values like protecting cultural heritage, building strong communities, and honoring women’s roles as guiding forces. He connects this to his personal friendship with Meloni, praising how both leaders blend tradition with modern progress.
Meloni responded warmly, saying Modi’s words deeply moved her. “These are sentiments that I sincerely reciprocate, with all my heart, and which testify to the strong bond between our nations,” she told Italian news agency Adnkronos. She expressed profound respect for Modi and felt honored by his contribution.
The preface, which Adnkronos got an early look at, carries a personal and symbolic touch. Modi calls the book an inspiring story of a dedicated patriot and modern leader. “I am confident that it will be received as an inspiring tale… It was a great honour to write this preface,” he writes.
This isn’t something Modi does often. Italian media notes he’s only penned two other prefaces: one in 2014 for a book on Anandiben Patel, who succeeded him as Gujarat’s chief minister, and another in 2017 for Bollywood icon Hema Malini’s autobiography. So, this gesture to Meloni carries extra weight in India-Italy relations.
The two leaders’ friendship has captured global attention since December 2023, when Meloni shared a selfie with Modi at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai. Their hashtag #Melodi exploded online, racking up hundreds of millions of views on platforms like X, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. It trends every time they meet, symbolizing the growing warmth between India and Italy.
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