Gandhinagar, Jan 12 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has raised the matter of baby Ariha Shah, an Indian infant in German foster care, with the visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as stated by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday.

During a special briefing regarding the Chancellor's visit to India, Misri emphasized that India will pursue the Ariha Shah case with the German authorities and will keep in close contact with the family throughout the process. He noted that efforts are being made to ensure that baby Ariha is nurtured in an Indian environment, including opportunities to engage with the Indian community and celebrate Indian festivals.

In response to inquiries about the Ariha Shah case, Misri remarked: "We have engaged in dialogues with the German government and relevant authorities, including their Embassy in Delhi and agencies in Berlin, for an extended period. While this case initially posed legal challenges, we believe it should ultimately be handled with a focus on the humanitarian aspects involved. We acknowledge the family's pain and hardships as they are the only ones who can fully comprehend them. We are aware of the situation and are committed to assisting them in every possible way, ensuring that baby Ariha is raised in an Indian context, whether through interactions with Indian individuals or participation in Indian festivals celebrated in Germany. We also aim to facilitate her learning of Hindi."

"Recently, we have made strides in other areas as well. While I cannot disclose specifics right now, I assure you that we are fully dedicated to addressing this matter with the German government at every stage. Prime Minister Modi reiterated this commitment to the Chancellor. We will persist in our follow-up with the German authorities on this issue and will stand by the family at every step. This matter is a priority for us, similar to other issues relevant to India-Germany relations. My colleague, the Additional Secretary for Europe, is here with me and frequently communicates with the family. Whenever they visit here, he meets with them to provide support. We are doing everything within our power and will keep you informed of developments as they arise," he added.

Ariha Shah was placed under the care of Germany's Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt) on September 23, 2021, following an accidental injury at the age of seven months. Since then, she has been in foster care. India maintains that it is crucial for the child to grow up within her linguistic, religious, cultural, and social environment.

In September of last year, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar mentioned that he addressed the Ariha Shah issue during discussions with his German counterpart Johann Wadephul in New Delhi.