Why US extradited 26/11 mastermind Tahawwur Rana to India? Secretary of State Marco Rubio explains | World News
The US and India have long pursued justice for the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and with the extradition of accused Tahawwur Rana, that “day has arrived”, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday.
“We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Together, with India, we’ve long sought justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. I’m glad that day has come,” Rubio said in a post on X.
On Thursday, the State Department stated that the 26/11 attacks had shocked the world and reiterated US support for India’s efforts to bring those responsible to justice.
Story continues below this ad
“On April 9, the United States extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face justice for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terror attacks,” said US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Together, with India, we’ve long sought justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. I’m glad that day…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 11, 2025
“The United States has long supported India’s efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice, and as President Trump has said, the United States and India will continue to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism,” she said.
Rana is in India’s “possession and we are very proud of that dynamic,” Bruce added.
“I encourage you to look them up and to find out exactly how horrible this was in the importance of this situation today,” Bruce said.Story continues below this ad
US Marshals in the Central Drict of California on Tuesday transferred custody of Tahawwur Rana to representatives from India’s Minry of External Affairs. (Special Arrangement)
Earlier, during Prime Miner Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in February, President Trump confirmed that Rana would be extradited to India.
The announcement came during a joint press conference with PM Modi at the White House on February 13.
The US is giving a “very violent man” back to India “immediately”, Trump said.
“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. So that kind of a relationship is very important to us,” he added.Story continues below this ad
Rana, a Canadian national of Pakani origin, was extradited from the US on Wednesday and reached Delhi on Thursday evening. The 64-year-old is accused of playing a key role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people and were carried out Pakan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrors.
A team led officials from India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) brought Rana to India late Thursday. He will now stand trial for his role in the attacks carried out Pakan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrors.
The Indian team had travelled to the US to complete all legal and procedural formalities related to the extradition.
This significant development follows the US Supreme Court’s recent rejection of Rana’s final legal appeal, which had been his last attempt to avoid being sent to India. The court’s decision paved the way for Indian authorities to take him into custody and proceed with the legal process related to the deadly 2008 attacks.
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Expand
