Lok Sabha Question No. 6208 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Child Welfare Norms Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: GOWDAR MALLIKARJUNAPPA SIDDESHWARA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6208

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2018

## CHILD WELFARE NORMS ABROAD

6208.     SHRI G.M. SIDDESHWARA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of cases in which the children of Indians living abroad have   been   separated   from   their   parents   by   Child   Welfare Departments of those countries during the last three years and the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether there was any case involving PIOs/NRIs from Karnataka and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to reunite such children with their parents; and
- (d) whether   the   Government   has   taken   any   initiative   to   sensitize Indians going abroad with regard to child welfare norms followed in such countries and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) The   local   authorities   abroad   generally   do   not   notify   the Missions/Posts of such cases wherein the children of the Indians living abroad have been separated from their parents, as they carry out their own   investigations.   As   per   the   records   available   in   Ministry   and Missions/Posts abroad,  during the last three years, eleven (11) such cases have come to the notice of the Ministry. These cases pertain to the United States,   Canada,   Denmark,   Kenya,   Norway   and   Australia. Abuse   of child/not raising the child as per the local rules and regulations/beating of the child by the parents/adults/marital dispute are cited the reasons for taking the children away from their parents.

- (b) No. There was no such case involving  PIOs/NRIs from Karnataka, which has come to or brought to the notice of the Ministry.

(c) & (d) Whenever such cases are brought to the notice,  the Ministry and our Missions/Posts abroad have strongly taken up the matter with the concerned foreign governments, including at the Ministerial level urging them to resolve such cases quickly, and return the child to the natural parents so that they can be brought up in familiar surroundings under the love and care of their extended family as this would be in their best long term interest. Ministry   has   urged   the   foreign   governments   to   take   a   humane approach and to send the children back to India so that they can be brought up in their own ethnic, religious, cultural, spiritual and linguistic milieu and social environment. In some cases, the affected parents have also initiated legal proceedings against the Child  Welfare authorities. The Indian   Missions   are   in   regular   contact   with   such   parents   and   are supporting them in pursuing the matter as per their wishes. As a large number of developed countries have strict child custody laws and the children being citizens of that country, Ministry through its Missions and Posts have guided and sensitised the Indian community about   the   provisions   and   implications   of   Child   Welfare   regulations including   providing   information   on   NGOs   who   help   such   families   in distress.

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