India wants Germany to return a 20-month-old Indian child in foster care in Berlin. The Indian government stressed establishing the kid in her linguistic, religious, cultural, and social context. Ariha Shah, a seven-month-old, was taken into German care on September 23, 2021, for parental harassment.
Arindam Bagchi, External Affairs Ministry spokeswoman, raised worry over Ariha’s protracted stay in German foster care, which violated her social, cultural, and linguistic rights. Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra’s chief minister, also wrote to S Jaishankar for help repatriating Ariha.
Bagchi stressed that Ariha Shah’s foster care placement should prioritise her Indian identity and socio-cultural background. The Indian government requested the German authorities to return Ariha to India as her right as an Indian citizen. They’ll return her.
Bagchi expressed alarm over the child’s unexpected move to specialised foster care. Ariha’s emotional and mental development suffered from this transition.
Bagchi said the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Embassy in Berlin have been pushing for Ariha’s repatriation. India has a strong child welfare system and foster parents who would care for her in her own culture.
India has informed Germany about its child protection system and foster parents. Ariha’s placement in German foster care, which violates her social, cultural, and linguistic rights, worries the Indian government and her parents.
S Jaishankar has conveyed worries over the young girl to his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock. The Indian government believes the child’s best interests can only be met in her own country, where her socio-cultural rights may be protected.
India has consistently asked Germany to return Ariha to protect her cultural, religious, and linguistic identity. The Indian Embassy requested consular access to the youngster. These requests to protect Ariha’s national and cultural identity were denied.
