Tahawwur Rana Extradited to India in Major Breakthrough in 26/11 Case
In a significant diplomatic and legal development, the United States has extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the prime accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, to India. The move marks a pivotal step in India’s prolonged pursuit of justice for the 166 victims of the deadly attacks, which included six American citizens.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar welcomed the extradition, calling it a critical milestone in the global fight against terrorism. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he expressed appreciation for the strong counter-terrorism cooperation between India and the United States:
“This is indeed a big step in ensuring justice for the victims of 26/11 attacks.”
Jaishankar was responding to a statement by U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio, who confirmed the extradition and reaffirmed America’s support for India’s efforts.
“We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in 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. I’m glad that day has come,” Rubio stated.
The U.S. State Department also released a formal statement confirming Rana’s extradition on April 9. Spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized the shared commitment of both countries to counterterrorism.
“The United States has long supported India’s efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice. As President Trump has said, the United States and India will continue to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism,” Bruce said.
Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian businessman, has been accused of aiding and abetting the attackers by facilitating travel and providing logistical support. He is known to have close ties with David Coleman Headley, another key conspirator in the attacks, who is currently serving a sentence in the United States.
Upon arrival in India on Thursday, Rana was taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is spearheading the investigation. A Delhi court has since remanded him to 18 days of NIA custody, and interrogation is currently underway.
This extradition is being seen as a crucial win for Indian diplomacy and counter-terrorism efforts, with many hailing the development as a sign of deepening Indo-U.S. strategic cooperation. The inclusion of Rana in India’s legal process brings hope that justice will finally be served for one of the darkest chapters in the nation’s recent history.
