Meloni later posted a video on social media thanking Modi for the “very, very good toffee,” sparking the hashtag #Melodi — a playful mashup of the two leaders’ surnames that quickly trended online.

The clip racked up millions of views within hours, with users on X and Instagram flooding timelines with memes, edited videos and jokes about the pair’s increasingly viral public interactions. Some social media users even joked that Parle, the maker of Melody candies, may have found its “best brand ambassadors” yet.

The “Melodi” nickname has repeatedly resurfaced online whenever Modi and Meloni appear together publicly, reflecting growing fascination with the leaders’ friendly rapport during international events.

Beyond the candy diplomacy , Modi’s Italy visit also featured a series of symbolic cultural moments. The two leaders reportedly shared dinner ahead of bilateral engagements, while Modi later toured Rome’s iconic Colosseum.

Videos circulating online also showed the Indian leader enjoying performances by Italian artists dancing and singing to Indian music , adding to the lighter tone of the visit.

Modi’s trip comes as India and Italy continue to deepen ties under their Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029, which focuses on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, defense, clean energy, innovation, science and technology, and cultural exchanges.

Demonstrators gathered across Imphal West chanting for justice and calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene, restore stability and address their grievances. Many also demanded stronger action against armed groups and criticised the role of central security forces, as anger grows over repeated incidents of violence.

“It provides a viable pathway to long term and sustainable peace, security and development for the Palestinian and Israeli people, as also for the larger West Asian region,” Modi wrote on social media hours after the plan was presented at the White House.

“We hope that all concerned will come together behind President Trump’s initiative and support this effort to end conflict and secure peace,” he added.

The Indian leader had faced criticism from the opposition Congress party for what it called his “supremely indifferent” silence on the war. India abstained in a 2023 United Nations vote calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza, though more recently it supported a resolution affirming the two-state solution.

With the conflict dominating debate at the UN General Assembly, Trump framed his initiative as a fast-track to peace. 

The plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, followed by a 72-hour deadline for Hamas to release all Israeli hostages, both dead and alive. In exchange, Israel would free 250 prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained after the October 7, 2023 attacks.

The proposal also demands that Hamas step aside from governance in Gaza and disarm— conditions the group has consistently rejected. Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli forces would gradually withdraw but maintain a large buffer zone inside Gaza “for the foreseeable future.”

Netanyahu warned that Israel was prepared to act alone if Hamas refused the terms.

"We're giving everybody a chance to have this done peacefully...But if Hamas rejects your plan, Mr. President, or if they supposedly accept it, and then basically do everything to counter it, then Israel will finish the job by itself,” he said. “This can be done the easy way or it can be done the hard way. But it will be done."

The Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the West Bank, cautiously welcomed the proposal. In a statement carried by the official WAFA news agency, it said it was prepared to engage with Washington and international partners on a broader agreement aimed at “paving the way for just peace on the basis of a two-state solution.”

European leaders also signalled support. President Emmanuel Macron of France said the initiative left Hamas with “no choice but to immediately release all hostages and follow this plan.” 

In London, Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged “all sides to come together and to work with the US Administration to finalise this agreement,” saying Hamas should “end the misery” by laying down arms. 

Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, called the proposal a rare chance for progress, warning: “This opportunity must not be wasted. Hamas must seize it.”

For Washington, the plan represents its most concerted bid yet to halt the Gaza war , and the most ambitious to date for Trump, who, for much of his second term, has styled himself as an “anti-war” leader credited with ending seven “un-endable” wars.

“We have no big enemies in the world in the true sense. If we have any enemy, it is our dependence on other countries. This is our biggest enemy,” he said. “The enemy must be defeated. We always have to repeat this. The more foreign dependence, the greater the failure of the country.”

He urged collective action to reduce this vulnerability, framing self-reliance as a pillar of national strength rather than merely an economic plan. Modi’s remarks come at a tense moment in India–U.S. relations, with trade and energy policies at the centre of dispute.

Washington recently imposed a 25% reciprocal duty on Indian goods from August 7, followed by an additional 25% penalty tariff beginning August 27 — a direct response to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil.

New Delhi has defended its stance, insisting that it will secure the “best deal” on oil to protect its citizens’ interests. Indian officials have accused Washington of double standards, pointing to ongoing U.S. imports of Russian chemicals and fertilisers, allegations rejected by President Donald Trump .