India is ‘actively’ pursuing with Norway the matter of the separation of two children from their natural parents, an NRI couple, by the Norwegian Childcare Services which placed them under foster care.
Ministry of External Affairs said the matter has been pursued actively with Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the strong demarches that were made in Oslo and here on January 5, 2012.
NRI couple Anurup and Sagarika Bhattacharya's children Abhigyan (3) and Aishwarya (1) were taken under protective care by Barnevarne (Norwegian Child Welfare Services), which claimed emotional disconnect with the parents, and placed them in foster parental care according to the local Norwegian court's directive.
On January 12, 2011, an official of the Indian Embassy in Oslo visited the foster home where the young children are staying and ascertained that they were in good health, the MEA said in a release.
Following the visit, the Embassy reiterated the concerns of Indian government to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the children were being deprived of the undoubted benefits of being brought up in their own ethnic, religious cultural and linguistic milieu.
Hence, the return of the children to India so that they can be brought up in familiar surroundings under the loving care of their extended family would be in their best long-term interests.
"The Norwegian authorities have expressed understanding for the government’s concerns and it is understood that they are trying to find a solution. The matter will continue to be pursued with them actively," the ministry said.