NEW DELHI: President Donald J. Trump has approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key suspect in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, to India. This decision, announced during PM Narendra Modiโs recent visit to Washington, is a crucial moment in the collaborative efforts of both nations to combat terrorism.
โI 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,โ Trump told reporters at the White House.
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Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian citizen born in 1961 in Chichawatni, Pakistan, served as a doctor in the Pakistan Army before immigrating to Canada in 1997 and later settling in Chicago, where he ran an immigration services business. Arrested in 2009 at Chicagoโs OโHare Airport on terrorism-related charges, he was implicated in facilitating the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people.
While acquitted of direct involvement in the attacks, he was convicted of supporting a planned terrorist attack in Denmark and the group Lashkar-e-Taiba, leading to a 14-year U.S. prison sentence in 2013. India has long sought his extradition, and after the U.S. Supreme Court denied his appeal in January 2025, President Donald Trump approved his extradition to India on February 13.
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The leaders further called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, and Pathankot attacks and ensure that its territory is not used to carry out cross-border terrorist attacks.
Beyond counterterrorism, the recent dialogues have paved the way for enhanced multilateral cooperation across various sectors:
Defense and Security: The two nations have agreed to finalize a new 10-year framework for the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership, set to span from 2025 to 2035. This framework aims to bolster defense collaboration, with discussions underway for India to procure advanced U.S. military equipment.
Trade and Economic Relations: Recognizing the potential for mutual economic growth, President Trump and Prime Minister Modi have set an ambitious target to double bilateral trade, aiming for $500 billion by 2030. To achieve this, both countries have committed to resolving existing trade disputes and exploring new avenues for economic collaboration.
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Infrastructure and Connectivity: A landmark initiative announced is the collaboration on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). This transformative project seeks to enhance connectivity through integrated roads, railways, and undersea cables, linking India with Europe via the Middle East. Such infrastructure development is poised to facilitate smoother trade routes and strengthen economic ties across regions.
These developments reflect a shared vision for a secure, prosperous, and interconnected world.
