Indian confectionery giant Parle Products thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he gifted a packet of its iconic Melody toffee to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his visit to Rome, turning a light-hearted diplomatic moment into a viral internet sensation.
The company described the gesture as a proud milestone for one of India's most loved sweets, saying it was delighted to see an Indian favourite being shared on the global stage. Parle also shared a special graphic online thanking PM Modi for taking Melody "across borders" and into an international diplomatic setting.
The moment gained massive traction after Meloni shared a video of the exchange on social media with the caption: "Thank you for the gift."
In the clip, PM Modi is seen smiling as he hands over a packet of Melody toffee, while Meloni says, "Prime Minister Modi brought as a gift a very, very good toffee — Melody." The two leaders then burst into laughter, adding a playful touch to the otherwise formal diplomatic engagement.
Responding to the now-viral interaction, Parle Products posted a thank-you message online, saying: "Honourable PM Modi, thank you for taking Parle Melody to the global stage. A proud moment for all of us at Parle Products to see an Indian favourite being shared across borders."
The exchange also reignited the popular "Melodi" meme trend — a viral nickname coined by combining Modi and Meloni — which frequently trends online whenever the two leaders meet. Soon after the video surfaced, social media platforms were flooded with memes, jokes, and reactions, with many users humorously calling for Melody toffee to officially launch in Italy.
The viral clip quickly crossed 100 million views within hours, according to social media metrics, making it one of the most talked-about diplomatic moments online. Searches for "Parle" and "Melody" also surged across Google and X following the video's release.
Interestingly, the frenzy even triggered a rally in shares of Parle Industries, whose stock reportedly hit the upper circuit despite having no connection to Melody toffee. Melody is manufactured by the unlisted company Parle Products, known for its biscuits, confectionery, and chocolates.
The informal exchange between Modi and Meloni came ahead of high-level diplomatic talks between India and Italy, but it was the simple gift of a toffee that ended up capturing the internet's attention worldwide.
