Baby Ariha case raised in Modi-Scholz talks: Govt

October 25, 2024 21:37

PM Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz greet each other during a joint press statement in New Delhi on Friday/Rahul Singh/ANI Photo

The case of Ariha Shah, a three-year-old Indian girl who has been in foster care in Germany, was raised during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in New Delhi on Friday, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said.

At a media briefing, the foreign secretary also said the chancellor has assured the prime minster that he is "very closely following" the issue.

The girl has been in foster care in Germany for more than 36 months following allegations of minor physical abuse.

Her parents, Bhavesh and Dhara Shah, are residents of Mira Bhayander in Maharashtra's Thane district.

"The case has been followed very, very closely by us.... Our embassy in Berlin has taken it up. When the external affairs minister was in Germany a few weeks ago, he had raised it very strongly with his counterpart," Misri said.

"Yes, I can confirm that it was raised during the meeting today as well. We have at all levels impressed upon the German side that an Indian child growing up in an environment that is not hers -- cultural, religious, linguistic environment -- is somewhat unnatural and that this situation needs to be addressed," he added.

The foreign secretary said Scholz assured Modi that "he is very closely following this issue and continues to pay close attention to it", adding, "I am sure that both sides will remain in touch on this issue through various channels." -- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

LIVE! 'I'm also a human not god': Modi makes podcast debut

Must Read! How Manipur Can Find Peace

'My one recommendation would be to first quell the violence and then encourage dialogue and build the trust among the different communities.''This is not easy but necessary, for violence cannot be the way forward.'

Class 12 student detained over bomb threats to schools

Around 10 educational institutes received bomb threats on Thursday, the latest in a series of such incidents in the city.

Pritish Nandy: What An Editor!

Hugely creative with a very evolved aesthetic sense, he made the Illustrated Weekly of India every young reporter's dream.Payal Singh Mohanka remembers Pritish Nandy who passed into the ages on January 8, 2025.

PHOTOS: Rahul Gandhi makes cold coffee at Keventers

During the conversation with the owners, Gandhi delved into the fascinating journey of the iconic start-up that seamlessly blends legacy with modern ambition.