US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday the approval of the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, to India, where he will face justice. The announcement came during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi following their bilateral meeting.
“I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters, Tahawwur Rana, one of the world’s most notorious individuals involved in the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack, to face justice in India. He is going back to India to face justice,” President Trump said.
The US State Department had previously indicated that it was reviewing the next steps regarding Rana’s extradition. A spokesperson from the department mentioned last month that the US has long supported India’s efforts to bring the perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks to justice.
“We have long supported India’s efforts to ensure that the perpetrators of the Mumbai terrorist attacks face justice,” the spokesperson said, noting that the US is following the recent Supreme Court decision regarding the case.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had recently stated that India was in contact with US authorities to expedite Rana’s extradition. “Tahawwur Rana has exhausted all legal avenues in the United States, including having his appeal dismissed by the US Supreme Court. We are now working with US authorities on the logistics of his surrender to Indian authorities,” Misri added.
Rana, a Pakistani-origin businessman, was convicted for his role in the 26/11 attacks, alongside co-conspirator David Headley, who cooperated with authorities against him. In January, the US Supreme Court denied Rana’s petition seeking to block his extradition, clearing the way for his transfer to India.
The 26/11 attacks killed 174 people, including 20 security personnel and 26 foreigners, and injured over 300 others in the deadly assault on Mumbai’s Taj Hotel on November 26, 2008.
In his remarks, President Trump also emphasized the “special bond” between the United States and India. “It’s an honor to welcome PM Modi to the White House. There is a special bond between the US and India—the world’s oldest and largest democracies. Today, PM Modi and I are announcing a framework to strengthen this relationship further,” Trump said.
Additionally, President Trump announced that the US would increase military sales to India, including paving the way for India to eventually receive F35 Stealth fighters. He reaffirmed the commitment to the Quad partnership, which includes the US, India, Australia, and Japan, to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Starting this year, we will increase military sales to India by billions of dollars. We’re also working to provide India with F35 Stealth fighters. The Quad security partnership, which we revitalized in 2017, is crucial to maintaining peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” Trump stated.
President Trump also highlighted agreements on energy and trade. “The Prime Minister and I have reached a key agreement to make the US the leading supplier of oil and natural gas to India. In a breakthrough for the US nuclear industry, India is reforming laws to welcome US nuclear technology,” Trump said.
“We also agreed to work together on developing one of the greatest trade routes in history, connecting India to Israel, Italy, and the US, through roads, railways, and undersea cables. It’s a big development,” he added.
