India, US working to resolve procedural issues for extradition of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana

India and the US are working together to resolve procedural issues that will pave the way for the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, one of the accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. This development comes after the US Supreme Court declined to hear Rana’s petition on January 21, effectively clearing the way for his extradition to India.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We are now working with the US side on procedural issues for early extradition to India of the accused in the Mumbai terror attack.”

The US State Department has also confirmed that they are “evaluating next steps” in Rana’s case, with a spokesperson stating that the US has long supported India’s efforts to bring the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to justice.

Rana, a Pakistani-origin businessman, was convicted for his role in the 26/11 attacks that resulted in the death of 164 persons. His co-conspirators included David Headley alias Daood Sayed Gilani, who pleaded guilty and cooperated against Rana. He is the man who surveyed and chose the locations of 2008 terror attacks. Despite India’s requests, the US has refused to extradite Headley, who is currently serving a prison sentence in Chicago.

The US Supreme Court’s decision to deny Rana’s petition has been seen as a significant development in the case. Rana had filed the petition in November 2024, seeking to prevent his extradition to India. However, with the US Supreme Court’s decision, the way is now clear for Rana’s extradition to India, where he will face trial for his role in the 26/11 attacks.

In 2016, the US permitted Indian investigators to question David Headley, who revealed that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had given him Rs 25 lakh to purchase a boat. This boat was later used by 10 terrorists to travel from Karachi to Mumbai in November 2008. Headley, speaking in the presence of US officials, also disclosed that the ISI had briefed him on various aspects of the plan