New Delhi [India], April 9: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday welcomed the US Supreme Court’s decision to extradite Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, calling it a positive development in India’s long-standing pursuit of justice.
Speaking at the CNN News 18 Rising Bharat Summit 2025, Jaishankar said, “There’s nothing really new that I can say on the Tahawwur Rana issue. Obviously, we welcome the decision of the American legal process.”
The US Supreme Court recently dismissed Rana’s plea to halt his extradition, stating in its April 7 order, “The application for stay addressed to The Chief Justice and referred to the Court is denied.” This has cleared the path for his transfer to India, which is expected within the next 24 to 48 hours. Upon arrival, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will take custody of him.
Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian businessman, was previously convicted in the United States for providing material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the terrorist outfit responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks that claimed over 174 lives.
His extradition is seen as a milestone in India’s relentless efforts to bring those involved in the attacks to justice.
Addressing other regional security concerns, Jaishankar refrained from commenting directly on the Balochistan issue, stating, “There is clearly a very disturbed situation there. Their people are suffering. If I say something, there will be finger-pointing.”
Human rights organizations have long reported widespread abuses in Balochistan, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, with little international attention or intervention.
Jaishankar also strongly criticized Pakistan for its open admission of terror activities directed at India. “You have people in Pakistan, who openly declare that they are doing terrorist activities in India… all sensible people have maintained that if you start a terrorism industry, you will be consumed by it. It is exactly what we are seeing today in Pakistan,” he said.
The remarks underscore India’s firm stance on cross-border terrorism and its continued pressure on the global community to recognize and act against state-sponsored extremism.