U.S. to extradite Tahawwur Rana to India for 2008 Mumbai attacks

In a significant development after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States has agreed to extradite Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, to India. Rana is currently held in a high-security U.S. prison, and India has persistently sought his extradition.

"We are transferring a very dangerous individual to India, someone implicated in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks," President Trump stated.

The decision follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on January 21, 2025, which rejected Tahawwur Rana's review petition, thus facilitating his extradition. "Following the Supreme Court's decision, the State Department is evaluating the appropriate next steps in accordance with U.S. law," noted a State Department representative.

The statement further reiterated U.S. support for India's quest for justice against the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed gratitude towards the U.S. for its decision, acknowledging President Trump's role in expediting the process. "Extraditing one of the Mumbai attack perpetrators for interrogation and trial in India is commendable. I thank President Trump for his commitment to this," said Modi.

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a businessman of Pakistani origin, was convicted in the U.S. for his involvement in the 26/11 attacks, which claimed 166 lives. Indian authorities are now set to interrogate and put him on trial.

Rana was reportedly aware of the planned attacks and maintained contact with terrorist elements in Pakistan. Among his co-conspirators was David Coleman Headley, who pleaded guilty and testified against Rana.

Rana is also alleged to have connections with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). An extensive chargesheet by Mumbai police recorded that Rana visited India from November 11 to November 21, 2008, including a stay at the Renaissance Hotel in Mumbai.

The Mumbai Crime Branch uncovered email exchanges between Headley and Rana. In one email, Headley inquired about Major Iqbal's contact information. Major Iqbal, an operative of ISI, is named in the 26/11 chargesheet.

Rana was tried in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, where he faced a three-count indictment. The jury found him guilty of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism in Denmark and of supporting Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The 2008 Mumbai attacks resulted in the deaths of 166 individuals, including 20 security personnel and 26 foreigners, with over 300 people injured in the siege, which targeted Mumbai's iconic Taj Mahal Hotel.