Amit Shah Hails Extradition of 26/11 Accused Tahawwur Rana as Diplomatic Victory for India
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has praised the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, calling it a significant diplomatic achievement for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Speaking at a media event on Tuesday, Shah described the development as a “defining triumph” that underscores India’s unwavering commitment to justice and national security.
“Tahawwur Rana’s extradition is a big success of Prime Minister Modi’s diplomacy,” said the Home Minister, underscoring the role of high-level negotiations in securing Rana’s custody.
A Step Toward Justice in the 26/11 Case
Rana, a Canadian-American national of Pakistani origin, is accused of playing a pivotal role in the planning of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that left 166 people dead. His extradition marks the beginning of long-anticipated legal proceedings in India against one of the alleged architects of the attacks, widely considered among the gravest acts of terrorism in India’s modern history.
“He will be brought here to face trial and punishment,” Shah declared, reaffirming India’s stance on prosecuting individuals responsible for attacks on its soil.
Long-Awaited Legal Breakthrough
The United States formally handed over custody of the 64-year-old to India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) following protracted legal proceedings and sustained diplomatic efforts. On April 8, Rana was transferred to Indian authorities in California and is currently en route to New Delhi aboard a special chartered aircraft.
The extradition follows years of legal challenges by Rana, who cited deteriorating health conditions — including Parkinson’s disease, bladder cancer, and an abdominal aneurysm — in an attempt to block his return to India. His appeals, including petitions to the U.S. Supreme Court, were ultimately rejected, with the final ruling coming on April 7.
High-Profile Ties and a History of Terror Links
Rana is known to have close ties with David Coleman Headley, a central conspirator in the 26/11 attacks, and is alleged to have worked in coordination with terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). While a U.S. jury acquitted him of direct involvement in the 26/11 attacks, he was convicted on other terrorism-related charges and served over a decade in prison. He was released during the COVID-19 pandemic on compassionate grounds but was subsequently re-arrested for extradition.
A Diplomatic Milestone
Home Minister Shah emphasized that this development reflects India’s strengthened global standing and the effectiveness of Prime Minister Modi’s foreign policy. The extradition also fulfils a prior assurance given by former U.S. President Donald Trump to PM Modi regarding cooperation on terrorism-related matters.
