"Melodi": Italian Prime Minister Meloni says it's always a pleasure to meet friends when he snaps a selfie with Modi at COP28.

Italy's Prime Minister posted a selfie with PM Narendra Modi on X at the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai. (X/@narendramodi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to a selfie that his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni had taken during the COP28 Summit on Saturday by saying that it was always a pleasure to meet friends.

The Italian prime minister and PM Modi shared a selfie on X on Friday, captioning it, "Good friends at COP28," and adding the hashtag "Melodi," which combines the surnames of the two leaders.

PM Modi replied by retweeting the picture along with the phrase, "Meeting friends is always a delight."

Meeting friends is always a delight. https://t.co/4PWqZZaDKC

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 2, 2023

The annual Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28), which is being held in Dubai through December 12, is being attended by world leaders.

After his trips to Glasgow in 2021 and Paris in 2015, Prime Minister Modi made his third appearance at the World Climate Action Summit after landing in Dubai late on Thursday. The Indian community in Dubai greeted him with open arms.

Among the many world leaders he met were Meloni, King Charles, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron.

Earlier today in Dubai, I had the opportunity to interact with King Charles, who has always been passionate towards environmental conservation and sustainable development. He is an important voice in the fight against climate change. @RoyalFamily pic.twitter.com/vRktqe0H3m

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 1, 2023

During the summit's opening speech, the prime minister stated that India has set goals to reduce its emission intensity by 45% by 2030 and raise the proportion of non-fossil fuels to 50%. Additionally, he put forth the Green Credit Initiative, which aims to engage individuals in the process of creating carbon sinks.

Pictures show PM Modi meditating near Adi Kailash while dressed traditionally.

 

On the Hindu holy site of Gauri Kund in the Uttarakhand area of Pithoragarh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid prayers today and saw the Adi Kailash. He might even catch a peek of Om Parvat from his chopper.

उत्तराखंड में पिथौरागढ़ के पवित्र पार्वती कुंड में दर्शन और पूजन से अभिभूत हूं। यहां से आदि कैलाश के दर्शन से भी मन आह्लादित है। प्रकृति की गोद में बसी अध्यात्म और संस्कृति की इस स्थली से अपने देश के सभी परिवारजनों के सुखमय जीवन की कामना की। pic.twitter.com/iIEpO0Cta0

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 12, 2023

"The darshan and reverence at the revered Parvati Kund in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, had me speechless. The fact that I can see Adi Kailash from here makes me happy as well. I wanted a joyful life for every member of the family from this centre of spirituality and culture in the midst of nature "On X, formerly known as Twitter, he remarked.

PM Modi got a sight of the Adi Kailash peak, thought to be the home of Shiva, to start his day-long tour to the border state. He was dressed in a traditional costume, complete with a "ranga" and a white turban (upper body garment).

Also, he performed aarti at the Shiva Parvati temple near Parvati Kund in Jolingkong and folded his hands in prayer in front of Adi Kailash.

After that, he travelled with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to the Gunji village where he spoke with the residents and attended an exhibition featuring local artefacts.

Before having lunch in the Kumaon region, he would then travel to Jageshwar Dham, a historic Shiva temple located approximately 15 km from Gunji, and pray there.

He will return to Pithoragarh later in the day to speak at a public assembly and lay the cornerstone for multiple development projects totalling $4,200 crore.