New Delhi: India said on Friday (January 31) that it was working with US authorities to expedite the extradition of 26/11-accused Tahawwur Rana after his legal options were exhausted following the US Supreme Court’s refusal to hear his appeal.
“The US Supreme Court on January 21, 2025 declined to hear a petition from the accused. We are now working with the US side on procedural issues for his early extradition to India in connection with the Mumbai terror attack. We will keep you updated,” said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
A businessman of Pakistani descent, Rana was convicted for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, which claimed 164 lives.
Pakistani-American David Headley, who conducted reconnaissance and identified the targets, pleaded guilty and testified against Rana. However, the US has refused to extradite Headley, who is serving a prison sentence in Chicago.
New Delhi, Washington discussing ‘early visit’ by Modi to US
Meanwhile, Jaiswal said at the weekly media briefing that India was in discussions with the US for an “early visit of the prime minister to the US to further deepen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.”
He added that “specific dates for the visit would be announced at the appropriate time.”
US President Donald Trump, following a phone call with Modi, had told reporters that the Indian leader would visit Washington in February. He also said he had raised the issue of illegal immigration during the conversation.
Jaiswal reiterated that India and the US have been “engaged in a process to deter illegal migration while also creating more avenues for legal migration from India to the US”.
“We are keen to continue this cooperation. At the same time, the Government of India will need to conduct the necessary verification, including nationality checks, before any individuals are deported to India. Any discussion of numbers at this stage is premature. However, I want to emphasise that India-US cooperation in this area is strong and effective, and this will become evident in due course,” he said.
