Send back baby Ariha from foster care: India to Germany

“We urge German authorities to do all that is necessary to send Ariha to India at the earliest, which is also her inalienable right as an Indian national. We remain committed to ensuring the return…to India,” Bagchi said in a statement.

Ariha has been in foster care since September 23, 2021 when German authorities took over her custody after she suffered an accidental injury. She was just seven months old then. The German authorities alleged Ariha’s parents had harassed her.

Bagchi said the government has made Germany aware of India’s child-protection system and also shared details of potential foster parents who are willing to bring up Ariha in her “own socio-cultural milieu”.

“We are dismayed to learn that the child was abruptly shifted away from her current foster parent to a specialised foster care arrangement,” he said. “We would like to reiterate that Ariha Shah is an Indian national and her nationality and socio-cultural background is the most important determinant of where her foster care is to be provided.”.

Bagchi’s statement came a day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde wrote a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar seeking his assistance in bringing Ariha back to India.

In December last year, Jaishankar conveyed to his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock concerns over the baby girl.

On whether they would get a chance to speak to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Bagchi said Ariha’s parents were in touch with Indian officials in Europe.