Fact Check: Did Italian PM snub PM Modi by not shaking hands with him?

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made her first official visit to India recently, during which she held meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made her first visit to India on March 2 2023.

Soon after she met with with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an image of the two leaders was shared on the social media with some strange claims.

It is being widely claimed that the Italian PM refused to shake hands with PM Modi. She rather folded her hands when PM Modi offered to shake hands, many claimed on the social media.

"Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni refuses shake hands with Narendra Modi. It appears that she is giving back the 'sanskar' to the 'sanskari,'" one user wrote on Twitter, while sharing the image. Many including Congress leader Alka Lamba took a jibe against PM Modi while sharing the image.

OneIndia found that this claim is completely misleading. The picture was taken when the Italian PM, folded her hands when PM Modi offered his hands for a handshake. PM Meloni immediately shook hands when she saw PM Modi offering his hands for a handshake.

When we searched for the video, we came across a video posted on Doordarshan where PM Meloni can be seen shaking hands with PM Modi. In the video, PM Modi can be seen walking the Italian PM to the car. At 7.42 into the video, PM Modi can be seen offering his hands, while the Italian PM can be seen folding her hands. She immediately shakes hands with PM Modi, the video shows. It clearly shows that the akward moment was over in just a blink of an eye, as the Italian PM immediately shook hands with her Indian counterpart.

The video also shows PM Modi greeting his Italian counterpart at Rashtrapati Bhawan, where she received a ceremonial welcome. At the end of the ceremony, PM Modi escorted her to the car and bid goodbye.

Italian PM Meloni, according to reports received a Guard of Honour at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. She was the chief guest at the 8th edition of the Raisina Dialogue held in New Delhi. The visuals also can be found on the YouTube challenge of news agency ANI.

Hence, the images being shared on the social media saying that the Italian PM snubbed PM Modi is completely false. The Italian PM immediately shook hands with her Indian counterpart and the awkward moment was over in the blink of an eye.