In a fresh attempt to malign Pakistan, India is now using Canadian national Tahawwur Hussain Rana, accused in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, as part of a renewed propaganda campaign.
Rana, who moved from Pakistan to Canada in 1997 and acquired Canadian citizenship in 2001, is being extradited from the United States to India. Indian media is actively portraying his extradition as a significant victory, attempting to link him to Pakistan — despite him having no current ties to the country.
The move comes amid severely strained diplomatic relations between India and Canada following the alleged assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, reportedly orchestrated by Indian intelligence agencies. Canada publicly exposed India’s role in Nijjar’s killing with concrete evidence, prompting international concern and calls for accountability.
Analysts believe India is now using Tahawwur Rana’s case to deflect from the global criticism it faces over its actions against Sikh leaders worldwide. Governments including Canada, the US, UK, Australia, and Pakistan have either raised concerns or provided evidence of India’s involvement in targeted killings of Sikh figures abroad.
It is important to note that India has repeatedly blamed Pakistan for incidents like the Mumbai attacks and Pulwama, often without presenting credible evidence. Multiple Indian officials in the past have admitted to the use of false flag operations for domestic and international manipulation.
The decision to extradite Rana was made during the Trump administration in the US, but India is now using this development to push its anti-Pakistan narrative on global platforms.
Despite years of investigation, the full truth behind the Mumbai attacks remains unclear, with India continuing to accuse Pakistan without conclusive proof.
Observers say that rather than addressing its own controversial operations and rising global scrutiny, India is once again resorting to media propaganda and disinformation
US President Donald Trump announced in February that his administration would extradite Tahawwur, calling him “one of the very evil people in the world.”
Expectedly, Indian media has started blaming Pakistan by sharing multiple fake narratives about Tahawwur Hussain Rana’s alleged involvement with Pakistan Army and militant groups.
It merits a mention that the US Supreme Court this month rejected his petition to remain in the United States. It should also be highlighted that a US court acquitted Tahawwur Hussain Rana in 2013 of conspiracy to provide material support to the Mumbai attacks.
However, he was convicted in a separate case accusing Tahawwur Hussain Rana of backing LeT to provide material support to a plot to commit murder in Denmark.
Even after the US court acquitted Rana in case of involvement in Mumbai attacks, India remains convinced that he was one of the key plotters behind the attack.
It merits a mention that India accuses David Headley (US citizen) and Tahawwur Hussain Rana of plotting Mumbai attacks, but the US has not extradited its own citizen.
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