The case of baby Ariha Shah, an Indian child currently in foster care in Germany, has taken center stage in bilateral relations between the two countries. During a recent meeting, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, highlighting India’s deep concern for the young girl’s well-being.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the discussion, stating that India has been closely following the case at various levels. He emphasized that the Indian Embassy in Berlin has been actively engaging with German authorities and that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had previously raised the issue strongly with his German counterpart.
The case of Ariha Shah, born in Berlin in 2021, has been a source of tension. German authorities took Ariha into foster care in September 2021, alleging that her parents, Bhavesh and Dhara Shah, had abused her. This decision came after Ariha sustained an accidental injury while in her grandmother’s care, leading to suspicions of sexual assault.
The Shah family has vehemently denied the abuse allegations, maintaining that Ariha’s injury was accidental and that they have been unfairly accused. They have been fighting a legal battle to regain custody of their daughter, citing concerns about Ariha’s cultural and linguistic isolation in foster care.
India’s government has expressed deep concern about Ariha’s situation, emphasizing that an Indian child raised in an environment that doesn’t reflect her cultural and linguistic background is not conducive to her well-being. Chancellor Scholz assured PM Modi that he is personally monitoring the case, and both sides have pledged to maintain ongoing communication through various channels.
The Ariha Shah case highlights the complexities of international family law and the challenges of ensuring the best interests of children in cross-border situations. The case’s resolution will depend on the outcome of legal proceedings in Germany and the ongoing diplomatic efforts between India and Germany to find a solution that safeguards Ariha’s welfare and respects the rights of her parents.
