US President Donald Trump confirmed on Thursday that his administration had approved the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, to India. Trump made the announcement during a joint press briefing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi following their bilateral talks at the White House.

"I am glad to announce that the extradition of one of the masterminds behind the horrific 2008 Mumbai attacks, Tahawwur Rana, has been approved. He will be sent to India to face justice," Trump stated.

India had long sought Rana's extradition. He was convicted in the United States for his role in supporting the attackers and has been serving a sentence in a Los Angeles prison. Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani descent, was an associate of David Coleman Headley, also known as Daood Gilani, who played a key role in the Mumbai attacks. Rana is accused of facilitating Headley and assisting the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist group in planning the assault.

Trump emphasized the growing cooperation between India and the United States in combating terrorism. "India and the US will work together more closely than ever to tackle the global threat of radical Islamic terrorism," he said.

When questioned by India Today’s Foreign Affairs Editor Geeta Mohan about the extradition of individuals involved in anti-India activities, including Khalistani extremists, Trump hinted at more extraditions to come. "This is just the beginning. We have received several requests, and there will be more actions following Rana's case," he assured.

Trump also took a swipe at the previous Biden administration, suggesting that India had not enjoyed strong ties with them. "Relations between India and the Biden administration were not as good. There were things that happened which were not right. We are turning things around. Sending Rana back is part of our commitment to support India," he added.

Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for Trump’s decision and underscored India's dedication to eradicating terrorism. "Cross-border terrorism demands tough action. I thank President Trump for approving the extradition of Tahawwur Rana. Our judicial system will ensure justice is served," Modi said.

Addressing the timeline for Rana's extradition, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri mentioned that both countries were coordinating the final procedural steps. "We are working out the logistics for his transfer. There are a few formalities to complete, and we are in regular contact with US authorities," Misri explained.

Regarding other pending extradition requests, Misri confirmed that India had submitted multiple applications but chose not to disclose specifics. "There are additional requests, but we are not naming individuals at this stage," he noted.

The meeting between the two leaders concluded with agreements to bolster cooperation across various sectors, including trade, energy, and defense, further cementing the strategic partnership between India and the United States.