New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent five-nation tour has drawn attention for what is being described as a fresh economic corridor linking India, the Middle East and Europe.
The visit began in the Gulf nation of the United Arab Emirates and continued through the European countries of the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway, before concluding in Italy. The tour comes amid a challenging global economic climate, adding to its significance.
According to the report, the emerging India–Middle East–Europe corridor is being positioned as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road route that connects West Asia and Europe. It adds that an agreement expected soon could help India develop into a major manufacturing and trading hub.
The report also highlights Modi’s focus on promoting Indian products during overseas engagements. In Italy, he gifted Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni an Indian-made Parle “Melody” chocolate instead of a foreign brand, which commentators said served as indirect promotion for “Make in India” and “Made in India.”
Separately, the report notes that social media users often trend the term “Melody” by combining the leaders’ names whenever Modi and Meloni meet, and suggests this may also have influenced the choice of gift.
