The United States has approved the extradition of a suspect linked to the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, in which over 160 people were killed.
President Donald Trump made the announcement 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.
“So, he is going to be going back to India to face justice,” Trump stated.
Although Trump did not initially name the suspect, a subsequent joint statement from both governments identified him as Pakistani-origin Chicago businessman and Canadian citizen Tahawwur Rana. Rana has been accused of providing support to the Pakistan-based Islamist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which India holds responsible for the attacks. Pakistan’s government has denied any involvement in the incident.
The attacks, which began on November 26, 2008, lasted for three days and targeted multiple locations, including luxury hotels, a train station, and a Jewish center, resulting in 166 deaths.
During the press conference, Trump was also asked about Sikh separatists residing in the US, whom India has labeled as security threats due to their demand for an independent Khalistan state. Trump did not directly address the question but emphasised that the US and India are cooperating on crime-related matters.
Since 2023, India’s alleged targeting of Sikh separatists in the US and Canada has created tensions in US-India relations. The situation escalated when Washington charged a former Indian intelligence officer in connection with a foiled assassination plot against a Sikh separatist leader in the US. India has stated that it is investigating the allegations.
The extradition of Rana marks a significant development in counterterrorism cooperation between the US and India, further strengthening their diplomatic ties.
AFP
