The United States has officially approved the extradition of a suspect linked to the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, paving the way for him to face justice in India. The announcement was made by President Donald Trump on Thursday during a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House.
“I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters 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,” Trump said. “So, he is going to be going back to India to face justice.”
Although the suspect was not named initially, a later joint statement from both the US and Indian governments identified him as Tahawwur Rana, a Chicago businessman of Pakistani origin and Canadian citizenship. Rana has been accused of providing support to Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Pakistan-based Islamist group responsible for the 2008 attacks. Pakistan’s government has denied involvement in the incident.
The Mumbai attacks, which took place from November 26 to 29, 2008, targeted multiple locations, including luxury hotels, a train station, and a Jewish center, leading to the deaths of 166 people. The attack was one of the most devastating terrorist acts in India’s history.
The extradition decision marks a significant step forward in the ongoing counterterrorism cooperation between the US and India. It also reflects the strengthening of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
During the press conference, Trump was also asked about Sikh separatists residing in the US, whom India considers a security threat. While Trump did not directly address the issue, he emphasized that the US and India were working closely on crime-related matters.
The approval of Rana’s extradition comes as tensions have risen over India’s efforts to target Sikh separatists in the US and Canada. The US had previously charged a former Indian intelligence officer in connection with a foiled assassination plot against a Sikh separatist leader in the US. India has stated it is investigating the allegations.
This extradition is a major development in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai attacks and underscores the growing cooperation between the US and India in the fight against global terrorism.
