- PM Modi arrived in Rome for dinner with PM Meloni.
- Both leaders visited the iconic Colosseum in Rome.
- Discussions covered wide-ranging subjects to boost ties.
- Social media widely shared viral images of the meeting.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Rome on Tuesday and received a warm welcome from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as the two leaders met for dinner and later visited the iconic Colosseum in the Italian capital.
The meeting came as Modi began the final leg of his five-nation tour, which earlier included visits to Norway, the UAE, the Netherlands and Sweden. Images shared by both leaders from Rome quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread attention online.
Meloni shared a picture with PM Modi on X, formerly Twitter, and captioned it: “Welcome to Rome, my friend!” along with the flags of Italy and India. The photograph featured the illuminated Colosseum in the background, adding a striking visual element to the diplomatic engagement.
Colosseum Visit Draws Massive Attention Online
The viral image, set against the backdrop of the historic Flavian Amphitheatre, garnered more than a million views along with tens of thousands of likes and comments praising the growing friendship between India and Italy.
PM Modi later shared four photographs from the evening and revealed that the two leaders had exchanged views on several issues during dinner and their visit to the Colosseum.
“Upon landing in Rome, met Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for dinner followed by a visit to the Colosseum,” Modi wrote in a social media post.
Upon landing in Rome, had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Meloni over dinner followed by a visit to the iconic Colosseum. We exchanged perspectives on a wide range of subjects. Looking forward to our talks today, where we will continue the conversation on how to boost the… pic.twitter.com/df0bDYKCdU
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 20, 2026
ALSO READ | ‘Welcome, My Friend’: Meloni Shares Selfie As PM Modi Arrives In Italy On Final Leg Of Five-Nation Tour
Modi Says Talks Focused on Strengthening India-Italy Ties
The Prime Minister said the discussions covered “a wide range of subjects” and expressed optimism about the official talks scheduled later.
“Looking forward to our talks today, where we will continue the conversation on how to boost the India-Italy friendship,” Modi added.
The Rome visit is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation between the two countries in areas such as trade, investment, defence, clean energy and technology.
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Social Media Flooded With Reactions
As the pictures spread online, social media users reacted enthusiastically to the visuals from Rome, with many praising the chemistry and warmth displayed between the two leaders.
“A perfect Rome evening for real talk between leaders, for real. The Colosseum as a backdrop feels symbolic… strong foundations, big history. Hope today’s conversations open up concrete wins for both countries,” one user commented.
Another user joked, “It feels more like a pre-wedding shoot than a Prime Minister’s visit.”
A third wrote, “Unity, culture, and respect always strengthen friendships between nations. The love for India can be felt everywhere in the world.”
