Reflecting on her March 2023 visit to India, Meloni wrote that posters featuring her face and the word "Welcome" appeared at regular intervals along the roads leading into the capital. Upon her departure, the same posters displayed the message "Thank you for visiting." The display prompted Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, who accompanied her during the trip, to jokingly remark that if she contested an election from a New Delhi constituency, she would receive a million votes.
Meloni visited India twice in 2023. Her first visit was for the eighth edition of the Raisina Dialogue in March, followed by a second trip to attend the G20 Summit in September. The Italian leader, who shares a warm relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is frequently associated with the popular social media nickname "Melodi," writes in the chapter titled "Head Held High Among the World Greats" that successful diplomacy often depends on moving beyond rigid formalities and discovering a personal way to connect with people.
According to Meloni, a few witty words, a personal story, or a shared interest can significantly strengthen diplomatic ties. She illustrates this belief through a collection of personal experiences, arguing that meaningful international relationships often begin with seemingly simple moments such as a cigarette by the sea, a discussion about Middle-earth from "The Lord of the Rings," a bouquet of roses, or a child's toy from Japan.
One of the examples she recounts involves Tunisian President Kais Saied, whom she describes as a strong-willed leader and skilled negotiator. During their first meeting, a bilateral discussion extended for nearly two hours before Saied invited her to admire the sea view from his residence. Meloni, who acknowledged that she had resumed smoking after 13 years, cautiously asked whether she could light a cigarette. The request unexpectedly changed the atmosphere. She recalls that Saied was delighted, produced his own pack of cigarettes, and that the shared coffee and cigarette break became a defining moment in their relationship.
The book also highlights Meloni's personal friendships and interactions with several world leaders. She describes Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama as one of the most spontaneous and engaging individuals she has encountered. Fluent in Italian and highly knowledgeable about Italian politics, Rama regularly exchanges messages with her regarding current affairs.
Meloni also reflects on her friendship with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who shares her appreciation for Italian wines and once surprised her with a bouquet of orange roses on her birthday. Former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, another admirer of Italian wines according to Meloni, presented her daughter Ginevra with a giant Hello Kitty doll during the G7 Summit in Hiroshima.
In Poland, then Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki appealed to another of Meloni's passions. Knowing her admiration for the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, Morawiecki took her to a coffee shop themed around "The Lord of the Rings" during her visit to Warsaw. The two leaders spent time discussing an elaborate map of Middle-earth displayed at the venue.
Another gesture that left a lasting impression on the Italian Prime Minister came from Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Prior to a bilateral meeting in Rome, Mirziyoyev arranged for Meloni's memoir, "I Am Giorgia," to be translated into Uzbek and presented her with a bound copy of the translated work.
Structured as a series of candid conversations with journalist Alessandro Sallusti, "Giorgia's Vision" extends beyond a traditional political memoir. The book explores themes including leadership, national identity, meritocracy, family, faith, and the future of Western civilization. Published by Rupa Publications, the book is currently available through both online and offline retail channels.
Meloni's reflections provide a rare glimpse into the personal side of international diplomacy, revealing how informal interactions, shared interests, and thoughtful gestures often help shape enduring relationships between world leaders while influencing the broader landscape of global engagement.
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