US on Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India: 'We are very proud'

Tahawwur Rana has been charged with criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government of India, murder and forgery and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

After handing over Tahawwur Rana to Delhi in shackles, the USA said it is "very proud" that the mastermind of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai has been extradited to India.

The US State Department also stressed that Rana should face justice for his involvement in the attacks and promised to continue working with India to combat the global scourge of terrorism.

In a media briefing, US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said, “On April 9, the US extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face justice for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Some people watching may not remember these, but I urge you to look them up and to find out exactly how horrible this was in the importance of this situation today," she said.

Bruce said these attacks resulted in the tragic loss of 166 lives, including six Americans.

#WATCH | US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce says, "On April 9th, the United States extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face justice for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. These attacks resulted in the tragic loss of 166 lives, pic.twitter.com/wtTnI1LrTN

ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2025

“The United States has long supported India’s efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice, and as President Trump has said, the United States and India will continue to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism. He is in their possession, and we are very proud of that dynamic," the spokesperson said.

Tahawwur Rana has been charged with criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government of India, murder and forgery and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Earlier, a spokesperson for the US Department of Justice said in a statement to PTI that Rana’s extradition is a “critical step toward seeking justice” for the victims of the heinous attacks.

The DOJ spokesperson said that the US extradited the convicted terrorist and Pakistani-Canadian citizen to stand trial in India on 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

“Rana’s extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks,” the spokesperson said.

A team led by NIA authorities landed in India late Thursday with Rana.  The multi-agency team from India had gone to the US to complete all paperwork and legalities to bring Rana back to India.