India seeks early return of baby Ariha

India on Friday once again called upon Germany to ensure early return of Indian baby girl Ariha Shah who has been living in a foster care in Berlin for over 20 months.

Ariha was placed in the custody of Germany's Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt) on September 23, 2021 after the then seven-month-old baby suffered an accidental injury. She has been in foster care since then.

'We continue to remain engaged with German authorities on this case. We believe that the child, who is currently in foster care, is being denied her cultural rights and her rights as an Indian citizen,' External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

He was replying to media queries on the case during his weekly media briefing.

'We will continue to press the German authorities for early return of the child to India,' Bagchi said.

He said the Indian embassy in Berlin is in touch with the German authorities on the matter.

'This is an issue that we attach priority to,' he said.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann and asked for the early return of the baby girl.

The MEA and the Embassy of India in Berlin have been persistently advocating for the return of Ariha to India.

Last December, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar conveyed to his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock India's concerns over the girl.