US President Donald Trump on Thursday confirmed the 2008 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana’s extradition to India and said that he was pleased to announce that Rana is “going back to India to face justice”.
During the joint press meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after their bilateral meeting, Trump said. “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.”
“He is going back to India to face justice,” he added.
Earlier, the US state department said that it is evaluating the next steps regarding Tahawwur Rana’s extradition to India.
A spokesperson from the State Department told that the US has long supported India’s efforts to bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks case.”
Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, is accused of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people, including six Americans. He has been linked to Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, a key conspirator in the attacks. India had requested his extradition from the US, a move that was supported by the US government. However, Rana repeatedly challenged the decision in American courts.
His appeals against extradition were rejected by lower courts, and in August 2023, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the India-US Extradition Treaty allowed for his extradition. Rana then filed a petition with the US Supreme Court to block the decision. The US Solicitor General urged the court to reject his plea, reinforcing the US government’s stance in favor of India’s extradition request.
On January 25, the US Supreme Court denied Rana’s final petition, effectively clearing the way for his extradition to India. With this ruling, Rana is now set face trial in India.