Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in her newly released book 'Giorgia's Vision', recounts a lighthearted moment from her March 2023 visit to India, where posters bearing her image lined the roads of New Delhi. According to Meloni, the display prompted Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani to joke that she would secure 'a million votes' if she contested elections from a New Delhi constituency.
Posters and a Joke That Went Viral
Meloni writes that upon her arrival, welcome posters with her smiling face were placed every few feet along the route. When she departed, the same posters were replaced with ones reading 'Thank you for visiting'. Tajani, who accompanied her, quipped: 'With all these posters, if you ran for the New Delhi constituency, you'd get a million votes.'
The Italian leader visited India twice in 2023 — first for the 8th edition of the Raisina Dialogue in March, and later for the G20 Summit in September. She shares a warm rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and social media users have affectionately dubbed the duo 'Melodi'.
Beyond Formalities: The Art of Personal Diplomacy
In the chapter 'Head Held High Among the World Greats', Meloni argues that successful diplomacy often requires moving beyond rigid formalities and finding 'your personal key' to connecting with others. 'A few witty words, a personal story, a common interest — it can make all the difference,' she observes.
The 49-year-old prime minister illustrates this approach through several anecdotes. She notes that meaningful diplomatic relationships can begin with seemingly small moments: a cigarette by the sea, a conversation about Middle-earth from 'The Lord of the Rings', a bouquet of roses, or a child's toy from Japan.
Informal Moments That Forged Bonds
One example Meloni shares is how she built some of her 'most solid diplomatic relationships' during informal cigarette breaks. This happened during her first meeting with Tunisian President Kais Saied, whom she describes as a 'strong-willed leader' and 'skilled negotiator'. After a nearly two-hour bilateral meeting, Saied invited her to admire the sea view from his residence. Meloni, who had resumed smoking after 13 years, hesitantly asked if she could light a cigarette. The request unexpectedly transformed the atmosphere. 'He was overjoyed! He pulled out his own pack of cigarettes, and that coffee and cigarette break became our moment,' she recalls.
Friendships with World Leaders
In the book, Meloni warmly reflects on her interactions and personal friendships with several foreign leaders. She describes Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama as one of the most spontaneous and engaging individuals she has met. Fluent in Italian and deeply knowledgeable about Italian politics, Rama regularly exchanges messages with her on current affairs.
She also recalls her friendship with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who shares her fondness for Italian wines and once surprised her with a bouquet of orange roses on her birthday. Former Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, also a fan of Italian wines, presented her with a 'giant Hello Kitty doll for her daughter, Ginevra' during the G7 summit in Hiroshima.
In Poland, then-Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki appealed to another of her passions. 'When I visited Warsaw, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki — knowing how much I love Tolkien — took me for a coffee at a cafe themed after "The Lord of the Rings". We stood there talking about a huge, gorgeous map of Middle-earth,' she added.
Another gesture that particularly moved her came from Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Before a bilateral meeting in Rome, he had her memoir, 'I am Giorgia', translated into Uzbek and presented her with a bound copy.
Book Details and Availability
Structured as a series of candid conversations with journalist Alessandro Sallusti, 'Giorgia's Vision' moves beyond a conventional political memoir into a broader discussion on 'leadership, national identity, meritocracy, family, faith, and the future of Western civilization'. The foreword is written by US Vice President JD Vance. Published by Rupa Publications and priced at Rs 695, the book is available across online and offline stores.
