New Delhi, March 7: The US Supreme Court has rejected a plea by 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana, seeking a stay on his extradition to India to face trial

Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, had filed an “Emergency Application For Stay” with the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the US and Circuit Justice for the Ninth Circuit.

He argued in his plea that his extradition to India violated the US law and the United Nations Convention Against Torture “because there are substantial grounds for believing that, if extradited to India, petitioner will be in danger of being subjected to torture.”

“The likelihood of torture in this case is even higher though as petitioner faces acute risk as a Muslim of Pakistani origin charged in the Mumbai attacks,” the application said.

The application also said that his “severe medical conditions” render extradition to Indian detention facilities a “de facto” death sentence in this case.

The plea cited medical records from July 2024 showing that he has multiple “acute and life-threatening diagnoses”, including multiple documented heart attacks, Parkinson’s disease with cognitive decline, a mass suggestive of bladder cancer, stage 3 chronic kidney disease, a history of chronic asthma, and multiple Covid-19 infections.

Rana’s extradition was cleared by US President Donald Trump last month. In a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump announced that Rana’s extradition had been approved. “We are giving a very violent man back to India immediately. There is more to follow because we have quite a few requests. We work with India on crime, and we want to make things better for India,” Trump stated.

He is wanted in India for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks carried out by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists. Eight locations in Mumbai were targeted by terrorists on November 26, 2008, which claimed the lives of over 174 people.

Rana, 64, faces charges in India for providing logistical support to LeT. He was found guilty in the US for assisting the group, and India has long sought his extradition. He is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 attacks.

New York, March 5: As he doubled down on his threats to impose reciprocal tariffs, President Donald Trump accused India of charging tariffs higher than 100 per cent on autos, even though India has slashed the highest rate to 70 per cent.

“India charges auto tariffs higher than 100 per cent,” he said in his address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, outlining his policies.

However, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in her budget last month that the tariffs on luxury cars were being cut to 70 per cent from 125 per cent.

She also cut tariffs on high-end motorcycles from 50 per cent to 40 per cent.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is to visit Washington to discuss tariffs with US officials.

“Countless other nations charge us tremendously higher tariffs than we charge them,” Trump said, justifying his programme of raising tariffs.

The reciprocal tariffs would come into effect on April 2.

“Whatever they tariff us,” he declared, “we will tariff them.”

“China’s average tariff on our products is twice what we charge them, and South Korea’s average tariff is four times higher,” he said, also mentioning Brazil.

His speech came the day when his 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10 per cent came into effect.

Trump admitted that tariffs would cause “a little disturbance” and “there could be an adjustment period” but asserted that it would make the US richer.

That was meant to inoculate himself against criticism of the effects of the tariffs.

The stock markets have been down by more than three per cent in the last two days and retailers have warned of impending increase in prices of groceries.

Tariffs by India on imports from the US have been one of Trump’s favourite talking points. In the past, he has mentioned the Indian tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles and whiskey.

Washington, March 5: President Donald Trump told American lawmakers in a joint sitting of Congress that he is “working tirelessly” to end the Ukraine-Russia war and that he has received strong signals that Moscow wants the same.

Trump on Tuesday read from a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky he had received earlier in the day, saying he was willing to work “under” the leadership of the American President to bring peace.

Trump addressed lawmakers for almost two hours highlighting the achievements of his administration in the two months of taking office. He spoke at length on the executive actions on immigration, economy, trade, health, education and law and order.

“I am also working tirelessly to end the savage conflict in Ukraine,” the US President said, adding, “Millions of Ukrainians and Russians have been needlessly killed or wounded in this horrific and brutal conflict, with no end in sight. The United States has sent hundreds of billions of dollars to support Ukraine’s defence. Meanwhile, Europe has sadly spent more money buying Russian oil and gas than they have spent on defending Ukraine — by far! And Biden has authorised more money in this fight than Europe has spent.”

President Trump also read out a letter he said he had received from President Zelensky.

“I received an important letter from President Zelensky of Ukraine,” he said, adding, “The letter reads, Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians.”

Reading out the letter, Trump said, “He (Zelensky) said, My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts. We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time that is convenient for you. I appreciate that he sent this letter.”

Trump did not offer his response to this outreach from the Ukrainian leader who is trying to make amends for the explosive exchange in the Oval Office with President Trump and Vice-President J D Vance last Friday.

“Simultaneously,” the American leader said further, “We’ve had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace. Wouldn’t that be beautiful?”