Inter-country adoption remains one of the most complicated terrains in the realm of private international law. While inter-country adoption is not preferred over domestic adoption, socially and legally, its significance cannot be overlooked. This paper examines the various obstacles surrounding inter-country adoption that hinder its effective utilisation and full potential. These conundrums often result in blanket bans and unfavourable attitudes towards inter-country adoption. Despite establishing an intricate procedural framework and prioritising the best interests of the children, the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, 1993(‘Convention’) is not free from certain lacunae that hinder it from achieving its objectives. There is a need to improve the efficiency of the Convention so that the potential of inter-country adoption can be utilised. This paper discusses four key issues that require greater attention to achieve the same. These include the lack of special recourses in situations of crisis or national disasters, the ambiguous language leaving room for loopholes, inhibiting national legal frameworks and a lack of adherence to the Convention. The author calls for special provisions, greater accountability and beneficial interpretations for the resolution of these issues, among other suggestions.
