'Big Step In Ensuring Justice': EAM Jaishankar Responds To US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's Post On 26/11 Attacks Mastermind Tahawwur Rana's Extradition

New Delhi: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Friday responded to a post on X by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Hailing the extradition of 26/11 mastermind Tahawwur Rana, External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar said, "Appreciate the counter-terrorism cooperation between our two countries."

He also called the move "a big step" in ensuring justice for the victims. "This is indeed a big step in ensuring justice for the victims of 26/11 attacks."

Appreciate the counter-terrorism cooperation between our two countries. This is indeed a big step in ensuring justice for the victims of 26/11 attacks. @SecRubio https://t.co/7jRRbfleyo

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 11, 2025

Marco Rubio had said, “We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Together, with India, we’ve long sought justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. I’m glad that day has come."

We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Together, with India, we've long sought justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. I'm glad that day…

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 11, 2025

Besides, the State Department had on Thursday said that the 26/11 terror attacks shocked the entire world, adding that Washington supported India's efforts to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.

Meanwhile, NIA on Wednesday (April 10) told Patiala House court, it suspects that Tahawwur Rana devised similar terror plots to target other cities in the country.

The court remanded Rana to a 18-day NIA custody. The judge directed the agency to conduct the 26/11 key accused's medical examination every 24 hours and allow him to meet with his lawyer every alternate day.

Who Is Tahawwur Rana?

Tahawwur Hussain Rana is a Pakistani former military doctor who served in the Pakistan Army. Rana moved to Canada after gaining citizenship and became an immigration service businessman.

In 2011, he was convicted of providing support to the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and of allegedly plotting an attack on the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten.

On 17 January 2013, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison in the Danish newspaper attack case. A US court has denied the bail plea of Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack and declared a fugitive by India, asserting that he has not negated the "risk of flight".

Rana was born and raised in Chichawatni in the province of Pakistan's Punjab and attained his education at the Cadet College Hasan Abdal. Notably, at this college, Rana befriended Headley. A physician by profession, Rana served as a captain general duty practitioner in the Pakistan Army Medical Corps.

He and his wife, who is also a physician, immigrated to Canada in 1997, and obtained Canadian citizenship in June 2001.

Rana along with Headley planned the Mumbai terror attack.