India Napier, played by Alia and Gabriella De Vercelli, is the only daughter of
Declan Napier and
Bridget Parker. She was born on-screen on 23 June 2009. In 2008, it was announced that a 17-year-old Bridget Parker (
Eloise Mignon) was to fall pregnant by her boyfriend Declan Napier (
James Sorensen). As the storyline progressed, Bridget was seen considering abortion or adoption, before ultimately deciding to have the child with Declan's support. This caused controversy among conservative family groups and critics in Australia who accused
Neighbours of using their characters to normalise teenage pregnancy. The storyline continued despite the controversy it caused. Alia and Gabriella De Vercelli were cast as India when they were four months old. Their mother, Vanessa De Vercelli, described the girls' working relationship with
James Sorensen as "beautiful". She added that Sorensen had been there right from the start and he was like a "real nervous dad". She departed on 15 March 2011. Bridget falls pregnant shortly after losing her virginity to Declan. She considers having an abortion after Declan runs away. However, the couple reunite and face the challenge of raising a child together. They marry two weeks before the birth and decide to attend a music festival to celebrate their last weeks of freedom. While Declan is away, Bridget goes into labour in a tent with a St John's Ambulance nurse to help. Declan arrives back just in time to see the birth of a daughter. The baby has breathing difficulties and she has to be air lifted to the hospital where she was later declared fit and well. Bridget and the baby come home the following week. When Declan and Bridget are putting their daughter to sleep, Bridget tells her about her dreams of becoming a doctor and travelling to various countries to help people. Bridget mentions India and she and Declan decide to name their baby, India. Declan and Bridget choose Donna and
Ringo Brown to be godparents. On a car trip to
Oakey to introduce India to the Parker relatives, the car comes off the road when
Steve Parker swerves to avoid a horse. Bridget and India are found together and taken to the hospital. Bridget later dies from her injuries, leaving India without a mother. Declan rejects his daughter, as she looks too much like Bridget. Steve and
Miranda decide to take India with them to Oakey, but Declan decides to keep her and raise her by himself. On the day of India's first birthday, she chokes on a marshmallow and is rushed to the hospital. Declan is upset and worried about his daughter, but she is given the all clear.
Paul Robinson pays for a private pediatrician to check her over and
Rebecca tells Declan that Paul saved India's life.
Callum Jones (
Morgan Baker) invites India on his school radio show and interviews her with Declan present. She cries on cue to one of the questions, which makes Declan and Callum laugh. India gets to meet her uncle
Oliver (
David Hoflin) and cousin
Chloe (Daisy Zandveld) when they come to get Declan, India and Rebecca. The family all leave for Portugal. Upon India's introduction, the
Daily Record called her "a screamer" and said "If her lungs are anything to go by, she's set for a great future as an opera singer." The paper said Bridget and Declan are left at their wits' end and cannot work out what is wrong with their daughter. They added "What can be wrong with her? Nothing much, apart from a reluctance to ever take a nap. Clearly she's learning early that Erinsborough is a bizarre place to live - and is keen to check it out early." ==Amanda Fowler==