India asks Norway to facilitate return of children in fostercare in Norway

New Delhi, Feb 15 (ANI): Norwegian Ambassador Ann Ollestad was called in by Secretary (West) M.Ganapathi on Wednesday to convey the Government's continued serious concerns regarding the two young children currently placed in foster care by the Norwegian childcare services.

The Secretary (West) drew the envoy's attention to the conversation that had taken place between External Affair Minister S M Krishna and the Foreign Minister of Norway on January 23 during which Krishna had urged the minister to find an amicable and urgent solution to ensure that the children are united with their extended family in India.

Ganapathi told Ollestad that the issue must be resolved the soonest possible due to its humanitarian dimension. Pointing out that cultural alienation could result from keeping such young children away from their own familial milieu, he strongly urged the Norwegian Government to do its utmost to expedite the process under way.

He reiterated that it would be in the children's best interest to return to India as early as feasible so that they can grow up under the loving care of their grandparents and other family members.

Ollestad promised to convey the various points made by Ganapathi to her government and emphasize the priority attached to the earliest possible resolution of this matter.

The matter is also being pursued actively in by the Indian Embassy in Oslo with all concerned authorities.

Three-year-old Abhigyan and one-year-old Aishwarya have been placed under the care of two different foster families in Norway. The Norway authorities had said that the children were taken away as their parents, Sagarika and Anurup, were not taking proper care of them.

The parents, however, said the authorities took exception to cultural differences such as sleeping with the children and breastfeeding the daughter at scheduled times as opposed to when she cried. (ANI)