Indian Child Welfare Case in Norway

Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke earlier today with India’s Minister for External Affairs, S.M. Krishna. They discussed the issue of two Indian children who are in the custody of the Child Welfare Services in the Norwegian town of Stavanger. 

Foreign Minister Støre assured Minister Krishna that the Norwegian authorities are working hard to find a solution that is in the best interests of the children involved. Mr Støre stressed that child welfare interventions of this nature are rare and uniquely based on safeguarding the wellbeing of the children.  

Mr Støre referred to the Child Welfare Services in Stavanger, which have firmly denied that this case is based in any way on cultural prejudice or misinterpretation. 

The two ministers agreed that close contact between the competent Norwegian and Indian child welfare authorities would be essential for finding a solution that is in the best interests of the children involved. 

The Child Welfare Services are at present in dialogue with the Indian Embassy in Oslo and the parents’ legal representative to find a solution that can be recommended to Stavanger District Court, which is currently dealing with the issue. 

A representative from the Indian Embassy in Oslo has met twice with the Child Welfare Services, the children and the parents here in Norway. The Embassy has also been in close contact with the Foreign Ministry in Oslo as well as the Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion. 

The Child Welfare Services in Stavanger have issued a press release detailing the legislation governing child welfare cases as well as the formal steps that have been taken in this particular case.