US Approves Extradition of 2008 Mumbai Attack Suspect to India
Washington, D.C.: The United States has approved the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key suspect in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, where over 160 people lost their lives. The announcement was made by President Donald Trump during a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.
Trump, without initially naming the individual, referred to him as one of the “very evil people” and confirmed that he would be sent back to India to face justice. A later joint statement identified the suspect as Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, previously convicted in 2011 and sentenced to 13 years in US federal prison for aiding the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Last month, the US Supreme Court rejected Rana’s appeal against extradition, paving the way for his return to India. Trump also hinted at future extraditions, stating, “We have quite a few requests from New Delhi.” Modi expressed gratitude for the decision, reinforcing India’s commitment to counterterrorism efforts.
Terrorism, Trade, and Bilateral Relations
During their meeting, Trump and Modi addressed security concerns, including India’s concerns about Sikh separatist movements in the US. Although Trump did not provide a direct response, he emphasized US-India cooperation on crime and security.
The meeting also highlighted economic and trade agreements. Modi announced India’s reduction of tariffs on high-end motorcycles, benefiting Harley-Davidson, a move seen as an effort to strengthen trade ties. Meanwhile, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to new investments in infrastructure, including ports, railways, and undersea cables, aiming to build a strategic trade route from India to Israel and Europe.
However, trade tensions remain. Trump criticized India’s “unfair, very strong tariffs” and imposed reciprocal tariffs on all countries, including India. Both leaders, however, pledged to negotiate a balanced trade agreement soon, focusing on oil and gas deals.
Security & Counterterrorism Cooperation
Reaffirming their commitment to global security, India and the US agreed to enhance cooperation against terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda, ISIS, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Lashkar-e-Taiba. They also pledged to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction and deny access to such weapons for terrorists and non-state actors.
Modi, who was only the fourth world leader to visit the White House since Trump’s return, described Trump as a “friend”, highlighting their shared nationalist policies and vision for economic growth.
