If a kid is born in America but he lives in India for five years can he be taken back to the states ?

About five years ago she met this Indian guy and they began a relationship. She got pregnant and gave birth to a son. But shortly after she began using drugs and she went to rehab and gave the kid to his dad. But his visa expired so he had to go back to India where he lives in the slums and he took the kid with him. When my friend got out of rehab she just accepted dat she couldn't take care of him and that he'd b better off with the Dad. She tried 2 visit but dey didn't let her. A few weeks ago her sons father died and now he's being raised by his very old grandmother. My friend wants to get him back because she loves him and realizes that she can save him from a life of poverty(I swear she has been clean 4 a long time). But how will she go about it. Will there have to b paperwork because he lives in India or what. Please help , thank you very much.