“You’d win a million votes in Delhi…”: Giorgia Meloni recalls viral India visit, says posters of her lined streets in 2023

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has revisited her memorable 2023 India visit, sharing personal reflections and light-hearted anecdotes in her new book titled ‘Giorgia’s Vision’, written based on conversations with journalist Alessandro Sallusti.

One of the most striking moments she recalls is the overwhelming reception she received in New Delhi, where her images were reportedly displayed along major streets during her arrival and departure.

Meloni writes that when she landed in India, she noticed posters featuring her face with the message “Welcome” placed frequently along the roads. On her departure, she says the same visuals had been updated to read “Thank you for visiting”, leaving a strong impression on her.

According to excerpts cited in a PTI report, the moment prompted a humorous comment from her deputy, Antonio Tajani, who joked:
“With all these posters, if you ran for the New Delhi constituency, you’d get a million votes.”

Meloni visited India twice in 2023. Her first and most significant trip was in March 2023, when she held high-level bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. During the visit, she also served as the Chief Guest and keynote speaker at the 8th Raisina Dialogue, a major global policy forum.

She later returned for the G20 Summit in September 2023, further strengthening diplomatic engagement between India and Italy.

“Small Gestures Build Big Trust”

In her book, Meloni reflects on her broader diplomatic philosophy, emphasising that personal connection often plays a key role in international relations.

“A few witty words, a personal story, a common interest—it can make all the difference,” she writes, highlighting how informal exchanges often help build trust between world leaders.

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She also shares a unique anecdote involving her meeting with Tunisian President Kais Saied, where an informal break during discussions helped ease tensions. After a long meeting, Saied invited her to view the sea, and during the relaxed moment, Meloni asked for a cigarette turning the interaction into what she described as a memorable bonding moment.

Global Leaders and Personal Moments

Meloni’s book also offers glimpses into her interactions with other global leaders. She describes Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama as engaging and fluent in Italian, while noting her shared appreciation for wine with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who once gifted her orange roses on her birthday.

She recalls receiving a Hello Kitty doll for her daughter from former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the G7 Summit in Hiroshima. She also mentions being taken to a Lord of the Rings-themed café in Warsaw by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

Additionally, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is noted for gifting her a translated copy of her memoir ‘I am Giorgia’ during a visit to Rome.