Washington: In a breakthrough to bringing perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to justice, Donald Trump, after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday announced approving the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, remarking there’s “more to follow” on prospects of Khalistanis in the US wanted by India.
Speaking at a joint presser with PM Modi, Trump was asked about the possibility of other elements such as Khalistani working against Indian interests and extradition requests from India to the previous Biden administration.
In response, Trump hinted there may be more such extraditions in the future as he will re-look into other extradition requests.
“A lot of things happened that weren’t very appropriate between India and the Biden Administration. We’re giving a very violent man (Tahawwur Rana) back to India immediately. There are more to follow because we have quite a few requests,” the US President said.
One major name on the list is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistan sympathiser and a designated terrorist by New Delhi, often making threats against India and involved in carrying out disruptive activities in Punjab.
US Prez Trump: “A lot of things happened that weren’t very appropriate between India and the Biden Administration. We’re giving a very violent man (Tahawwur Rana) back to India immediately. There are more to follow because we have quite a few requests.”
Is it over for Pannun? pic.twitter.com/U5Y2eUDTFV
— Riccha Dwivedi (@RicchaDwivedi) February 14, 2025
Tahawwur Rana’s extradition to India
Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is currently held at a metropolitan detention centre in Los Angeles. He is known to have ties with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the key conspirators behind the 26/11 attacks.
During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a visit to the US, President Donald Trump announced, “Today, I am pleased to share that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters and truly evil individuals linked to the horrific Mumbai terrorist attack. He will now be sent back to India to face justice.”
The US Supreme Court cleared Rana’s extradition in January, rejecting his review petition in the case. Last month, India stated that it was working closely with American authorities to ensure his swift extradition.
On 26 November 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists launched a coordinated attack on Mumbai, targeting a railway station, two luxury hotels, and a Jewish centre after infiltrating India’s financial capital via the Arabian Sea.
The nearly 60-hour siege claimed 166 lives, sending shockwaves across the nation and bringing India and Pakistan to the brink of war.
In November 2012, Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving gunman from the attack, was executed at Yerawada Jail in Pune. India has consistently urged Pakistan to take action against those responsible, but progress in the trial of the accused has been minimal.
