NEW DELHI: Tahawwur Rana was declared a fugitive by India after the 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack in which 166 people, including 6 Americans were killed.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Tahawwur, a Canadian businessman of Pakistani origin, has been granted extradition to India by a US federal court, where he is wanted for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. He was arrested in the US on an extradition request by India.
This news comes before PM Modi’s official state visit to the United States which will include a state dinner on June 22, 2023.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi in US Official State Visit to make it a “deep and close partnership” between the two countries.
The Indian government, on the other hand, has requested Rana's official extradition under the India-US Extradition Treaty, and the US has commenced the extradition procedure.
The Indian government has accused Tahawwur Rana of conspiring with his childhood friend David Coleman Headley, also known as "Daood Gilani," and others in the planning and execution of the Lashkar terrorist attacks, which took place in Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station, Cama Hospital, Nariman House business and residential complex, Leopold Cafe, Taj Hotel and Tower and the Oberoi-Trident Hotel.
Ujjwal Nikam, Special Public Prosecutor during 26/11 Mumbai Terror attack said, “The order of the American court extraditing Tahawwur Rana (26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused) is a great victory for India. It is for the first time according to my knowledge, American govt has heavily relied upon Indian investigation agency's evidence..."
He further said, "It is a major breakthrough...extradition order of Tahawwur Rana will help us in many ways, for opening the entire gate of the criminal conspiracy..."
The Biden administration has requested that a federal judge certify India's request to extradite Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana, who is wanted for his role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, in 2021.
PM Modi and Vice President Biden last met in person during the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia. The two presidents addressed strong cooperation in future-oriented industries such as crucial and emerging technologies, advanced computing, and artificial intelligence during their meetings.
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