By: The Trek News Desk
In a significant gesture of admiration and friendship, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written the foreword for the Indian edition of Giorgia Meloni’s memoir, I Am Giorgia: My Roots, My Principles.
Calling the book Meloni’s “Mann Ki Baat” a reference to his own famous radio address, Modi highlighted how her remarkable journey as Italy’s first female Prime Minister resonates deeply with Indian values and the nation’s emphasis on patriotism, cultural heritage, and the strength of womanhood.
In the foreword, Modi expressed his pride in writing it with “respect, admiration, and friendship,” acknowledging Meloni as a “patriot and an outstanding contemporary leader.” Reflecting on his decade-long tenure as Prime Minister, Modi wrote that he had encountered many world leaders with diverse life stories, but Meloni’s life story, in particular, spoke to larger, timeless themes.
He described it as a “refreshing story of an outstanding contemporary political leader” that Indian readers would deeply relate to.
A Shared Legacy of Cultural Heritage and Leadership
Modi also emphasized that Meloni’s leadership aligns with the values cherished by Indians, particularly the belief in defending one’s cultural heritage while engaging globally. “Her belief in defending one’s cultural heritage, while engaging with the world on equal terms, mirrors our own values,” Modi wrote, underlining the deep connection between the two nations, not only in terms of trade and treaties but also in shared civilizational values.
The memoir, originally written in 2021 when Meloni was still in opposition, gained even more significance after she became Italy’s first female Prime Minister in 2022.
The book has since become a bestseller, receiving widespread attention for its candid and inspiring narrative. The launch of the book’s U.S. edition in 2025 featured a foreword by Donald Trump Jr., who praised Meloni’s working-class background and described the memoir as a raw and “unfiltered story” of her patriotic journey.
The Empowerment of Womanhood
A key theme in Meloni’s memoir is the empowerment of women, particularly in politics. In her book, she addresses the challenges and discrimination she faced as a woman, including the smear campaigns targeting her for being an unmarried mother and a pregnant politician.
Meloni’s message of resilience is powerful: “If someone like me, with my privileges, was being told to step aside because I was expecting a baby, what chance did a pregnant young woman have with a temp job in a call centre?” she writes.
Modi picked up on this central theme of Meloni’s story, describing it as a deeply personal and transformative journey. He applauded her for her firm stance in defending motherhood, national identity, and tradition. The Indian Prime Minister further celebrated her efforts to prove that motherhood is not a limitation but an empowering force that allows women to overcome societal barriers.
Strengthening Ties Between India and Italy
India and Italy’s bilateral relationship has witnessed significant improvement since Meloni’s state visit to India in March 2023. This visit, following her victory as Prime Minister, marked the first high-level exchange between the two countries in five years. As a result, India and Italy elevated their relationship to the level of a Strategic Partnership.
Further strengthening their bond, the hashtag #Melodi trended widely on social media in late 2023 after a friendly exchange between Modi and Meloni at the COP28 summit in Dubai.
Meloni posted a selfie with Modi, calling them “Good friends at COP28” and using the hashtag #Melodi, which combines their names. Modi reciprocated the gesture by reposting the picture, stating, “Meeting friends is always a delight.”
This personal camaraderie between the two leaders reflects the growing diplomatic and cultural ties between India and Italy, which are bound by mutual respect for tradition and an embrace of modernity.
Modi’s foreword for I Am Giorgia: My Roots, My Principles is a testament to the friendship and shared values between the two leaders and is expected to resonate with Indian readers who find inspiration in Meloni’s story of resilience, patriotism, and empowerment.
Source: News Agencies
