By The Sampadak Express
New Delhi, April 10, 2025 — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday hailed the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India as a major diplomatic and strategic win, calling it a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong stance against terrorism.
Speaking at a press conference, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said Rana’s extradition is not an ordinary development but a powerful message reflecting “New India’s resolve” under PM Modi’s leadership to hold terrorists accountable, regardless of where they are hiding.“
In 2019, Prime Minister Modi had promised that anyone threatening India’s unity, integrity, and security would be brought to justice. Today’s extradition is a step in fulfilling that promise,” said Poonawalla.
He stressed that the BJP has always prioritized national security over vote bank politics. “New India’s motto is simple — we neither forgive nor forget terrorists. We track them down and make them face the law,” he added.
Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai attacks that claimed over 160 lives, is wanted for facilitating terrorist activities in collaboration with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives. The attack also claimed the lives of citizens from the United States, Israel, France, Germany, Italy, and Malaysia.
Poonawalla paid tribute to the security personnel who died in the line of duty and said the extradition brings justice not only to Indian victims but also to families across the world.
Reflecting on the shift in India’s counter-terror strategy, he said that between 2004 and 2014, India witnessed frequent terror attacks in major cities, including Delhi, Varanasi, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Pune. “At that time, the government merely reacted with statements and reports. There was no decisive action,” he claimed.
Accusing previous governments of adopting a “soft approach” towards terrorism, he added, “Back then, in the name of vote bank politics, there was even an attempt to coin terms like ‘Hindu terror’ and shift blame away from Pakistan.”
Highlighting the Modi government’s efforts, he said India has successfully brought back 17–18 fugitives from countries like the UAE, Thailand, and the U.S. through diplomatic channels. He called it a sign of India’s rising global stature and influence.
Poonawalla also credited legal reforms and strengthened enforcement for the increasing conviction rate in domestic terror cases, such as the Ahmedabad blasts, and said that Naxalism is being dealt with the same decisive approach.“
This is New India — confident, assertive, and determined to protect its people at all costs,” he concluded.
