Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wins Hearts Online after greeted US President Donald Trump with a traditional Indian Namaste at the peace summit in Gaza, Egypt. When he was captured in the video, he quickly became viral, and social media users celebrated the Indian connection in a highly profile diplomatic environment.
The gesture excelled at the Sharm El-Sheikh summit, where over 30 world leaders gathered to discuss the escalating conflict in Gaza. When Meloni folded her hands and greeted Trump, many described it as a gentle but strong manifestation of soft force.
Also read | After the “beautiful” note, Trump promotes Meloni’s book; Italian PM responds
“Simple gesture, strong message: #Meloni greets #trump with #namaste – a demonstrator does not always need handshakes,” one user wrote. Others commented, “Now you can see how Namaste does everywhere,” while the third remarked, “even” made in India “has become global.”
One user described this movement as “soft power theater”, writing, “Meloni’s moment of Namaste, the moment focuses the handshakes as a gesture that radiates respect, the frames of the bacteria spread and tap into Indian diplomatic taste”. Others jokingly called it “Melodi Team Effect” – nodding to growing friendship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Giorgia Meloni.
Also read | “I hope you don’t mind”: Trump plunges over a single female leader at a summit in Gaza
Watch a viral video here:
Trump’s unpleasant compliment sparkle criticism
While Meloni’s greeting was widely praised, Trump’s remarks about the Italian leader during the summit brought mixed reactions. The former US President, known for his cuff comments, described Meloni as a “beautiful young woman” and acknowledged that such a comment could be considered a sexist.
“We have a woman, a young woman who is … must not say that, because it is usually the end of your political career, if you say: She’s a beautiful young woman,” Trump said, pointing to Meloni. “You don’t mind being called beautiful, isn’t you? Because you are.”
Also read | Trump jokes that call Meloni “beautiful” could end a political career
Meloni, 48 – especially the only woman among the 30 leaders present – seemed a little uncomfortable, but amused when Trump spoke. His comments, however, made criticism online, and many called them “regressive” and pointed to his history of controversial notes about women.
Meloni about smoking and diplomacy
Another light moment with Meloni from the summit has also become viral. On the outskirts of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan teased the Italian leader about her smoking and said she would try to convince her to stop.
“I saw how you descend from the plane. You look great. But I have to make you stop smoking,” Erdoğan said. French President Emmanuel Macron, who stood beside them, rang, “It’s impossible!”
Meloni laughed and replied, “I know, I know … I don’t want to kill someone,” he joks that the end could be less socially.
In my autobiography, I Giorgia: My roots, my principles – whose preface was written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi – Meloni revealed that after 13 years she started smoking again and said she was helping her bonds with leaders and politics.
(Tagstotranslate) Summit Gaza Peace (T) Donald Trump
