India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar welcomed the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key figure implicated in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, describing it as “a big step” toward delivering justice to victims and their families.
Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian national with Pakistani origins, was transferred from US custody to India following years of legal proceedings under the India-US Extradition Treaty. The move concluded after Rana depleted all avenues for contesting his extradition.
“Appreciate the counter-terrorism cooperation between our two countries. This is indeed a big step in ensuring justice for the victims of 26/11 attacks,” Jaishankar posted on X.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment, acknowledging India’s persistent pursuit of justice for those lost in the devastating attacks. He stated, “We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Together, with India, we’ve long sought justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. I’m glad that day has come.”
The extradition was the result of close collaboration between Indian and US intelligence agencies, culminating after years of dedicated effort to bring Rana – a convicted terrorist – to account.
Key facts surrounding this event:
- Rana is facing multiple charges in India related to his alleged involvement in plotting the 2008 attacks.
- The US Department of Justice affirmed that Rana’s extradition reflects a commitment to combating global terrorism and supporting India’s pursuit of justice.
- US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated, “The United States has long supported India’s efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice…”
Beyond this legal development, Mr. Rubio and Mr. Jaishankar held a phone conversation on April 7th, reinforcing the strength of the India-US strategic partnership and exploring further opportunities for collaboration within the Indo-Pacific region.
The US government characterized the 2008 Mumbai attacks as “among the most horrific and catastrophic in India’s history.”
