“I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters, [Tahawwur Rana] and one of the very evil people of the world, having to do with the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack, to face justice in India,” Trump said.
A Long Legal Battle Ends
Rana had fought extradition for years, but on 21 January 2025, the US Supreme Court rejected his review petition, effectively clearing the way for his transfer. With no further legal options left, Indian officials have been coordinating with US authorities to finalise the logistical details of his surrender.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the developments, saying, “Mr Rana has exhausted all legal avenues in the United States, with the US Supreme Court also dismissing his appeal. We are now in touch with US authorities to work on the logistics of his surrender to Indian authorities. We will update you as soon as we hear further on this particular matter.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had previously stated that Indian officials were working closely with their US counterparts to ensure a smooth extradition process. “We are now working with the US side on procedural issues for early extradition to India of the accused in the Mumbai terror attack,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
Who is Tahawwur Rana?
Rana, a former doctor and businessman, is a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin. He was arrested in 2009 in Chicago for his links to a Pakistan-backed terror network. The FBI charged him with supporting Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the terror group responsible for the Mumbai attacks. Though he was convicted in the US for aiding LeT, he was acquitted of charges directly linked to the Mumbai attacks. However, Indian authorities have long maintained that Rana played a crucial role by allowing David Coleman Headley, one of the key planners, to use his immigration business as a cover to conduct reconnaissance in Mumbai.
Indian Authorities Prepare for Rana’s Arrival
A team from India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) is expected to travel to the US soon to complete the necessary formalities. Reports suggest that senior officers of Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General rank will be part of the delegation. Their mission is to oversee Rana’s transfer and ensure all legal requirements are met.According to a report by ANI, the NIA had been working behind the scenes for months to ensure Rana’s extradition, with a dedicated team handling procedural matters.
Strengthening Indo-US Security Ties
Trump’s announcement underscores the growing security cooperation between India and the US. It also reflects a broader commitment to counter-terrorism efforts between the two nations.
Addressing concerns about anti-India elements operating in the US, Trump said, “I don’t think India had a good relationship with the Biden administration… A lot of things happened that weren’t very appropriate between India and the Biden Administration. We are giving a very violent man (Tahawwur Rana) back to India immediately. There are more to follow because we have quite a few requests. So, we work with India on crime and we want to make it good for India.”
Prime Minister Modi expressed his appreciation for the US’s decision and thanked Trump for ensuring that justice would be served. “We have long supported India’s efforts to ensure the perpetrators of the Mumbai terrorist attacks face justice,” a US State Department statement added.
Once extradited, Rana is expected to face trial in India for his alleged involvement in the attacks that left 166 people dead and hundreds injured. Indian authorities have been pursuing his extradition for years, determined to hold all those responsible for the attack accountable.
With the legal hurdles now cleared, all that remains is the final execution of the extradition order. As the process moves forward, Indian security agencies are preparing for Rana’s return, marking a significant step towards justice for the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
