India
Consular Access: India got consular access to Baby Ariha in Berlin last month, officials celebrated Diwali with her | India News
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NEW DELHI: Last month, Indian officials in Berlin commemorated Diwali with Ariha Shah, a baby girl who has been under foster care in the German capital for over two years.
Ariha was entrusted to the care of Germany’s Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt) on September 23, 2021, following an accidental injury when she was just seven months old. Since then, she has remained in foster care.
Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry, announced on Friday that Indian embassy officials had been granted consular access to Ariha in the second week of the previous month, during which they celebrated Diwali with her.
India has been actively advocating for Ariha’s prompt repatriation, emphasizing the significance of her being raised in an environment that reflects her linguistic, religious, cultural, and social heritage.
“This matter is of great importance. We are continuously overseeing it… After gaining consular access, we shared with the child various items to promote her engagement with Indian culture, alongside ongoing efforts to safeguard her rights,” Bagchi stated during his weekly media briefing, in response to an inquiry about Ariha.
He added, “Our efforts have been focused on facilitating the child’s cultural integration. We have provided the German authorities with resources related to Indian festivals, customs, and practices.”
“We are actively collaborating with the German authorities to preserve the child’s cultural and national identity, her rights, and to facilitate her return to India,” he continued.
The Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Berlin have been steadfast in their efforts to secure Ariha Shah’s return to India.
Regarding allegations by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party that New Delhi is interfering in Bangladesh’s electoral processes, Bagchi clarified that the elections are a domestic issue for Bangladesh.
“Our stance remains unchanged. The elections are an internal affair of Bangladesh, and we believe the future should be decided by the Bangladeshi people,” he remarked.
“As a close ally and partner of Bangladesh, we hope for peaceful elections and remain committed to supporting Bangladesh as a peaceful and progressive nation,” he added.
In response to queries about a Chinese research vessel’s visit to Sri Lanka, Bagchi noted: “We consistently monitor any developments that might impact our national security and take appropriate actions as necessary.”
Ariha was entrusted to the care of Germany’s Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt) on September 23, 2021, following an accidental injury when she was just seven months old. Since then, she has remained in foster care.
Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry, announced on Friday that Indian embassy officials had been granted consular access to Ariha in the second week of the previous month, during which they celebrated Diwali with her.
India has been actively advocating for Ariha’s prompt repatriation, emphasizing the significance of her being raised in an environment that reflects her linguistic, religious, cultural, and social heritage.
“This matter is of great importance. We are continuously overseeing it… After gaining consular access, we shared with the child various items to promote her engagement with Indian culture, alongside ongoing efforts to safeguard her rights,” Bagchi stated during his weekly media briefing, in response to an inquiry about Ariha.
He added, “Our efforts have been focused on facilitating the child’s cultural integration. We have provided the German authorities with resources related to Indian festivals, customs, and practices.”
“We are actively collaborating with the German authorities to preserve the child’s cultural and national identity, her rights, and to facilitate her return to India,” he continued.
The Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Berlin have been steadfast in their efforts to secure Ariha Shah’s return to India.
Regarding allegations by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party that New Delhi is interfering in Bangladesh’s electoral processes, Bagchi clarified that the elections are a domestic issue for Bangladesh.
“Our stance remains unchanged. The elections are an internal affair of Bangladesh, and we believe the future should be decided by the Bangladeshi people,” he remarked.
“As a close ally and partner of Bangladesh, we hope for peaceful elections and remain committed to supporting Bangladesh as a peaceful and progressive nation,” he added.
In response to queries about a Chinese research vessel’s visit to Sri Lanka, Bagchi noted: “We consistently monitor any developments that might impact our national security and take appropriate actions as necessary.”
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