Lakshmi Kant Pandey v. Union of India, AIR 1984 SC 469, lays down the rule regarding:

Lakshmi Kant Pandey v Union of India (AIR 1984 SC 469) laid down the guidelines and safeguards governing "Inter-country adoption" of Indian children by foreign parents, with the welfare of the child as the paramount consideration. It does not deal with inter-caste marriage, inter-religion adoption or maintenance.

Current law: Inter-country adoption now also operates under the Juvenile Justice statutory framework and the Adoption Regulations 2022, which use District Magistrate adoption orders and CARA procedures.