Mumbai, January 18, 2026:
United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor paid tribute to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks at the memorial located inside the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, recalling the horror of the 2008 assault and honouring the courage of Indian security forces who fought the terrorists. In a deeply reflective message, Gor also highlighted the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana—an accused conspirator in the attacks—from the United States to India, calling it a significant step toward justice.

In a post on X early Sunday, the US envoy said he visited the memorial to remember the 166 innocent lives lost in one of the deadliest terror attacks in India’s history, including six American citizens. Emphasising solidarity between the two nations in the global fight against terrorism, Gor said he was proud that under US President Donald Trump, Rana was extradited to India to face trial for his alleged role in planning the attacks.

“May such a tragedy never happen again,” Gor wrote. “I visited the 26/11 memorial at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel remembering the 166 innocent lives lost, including 6 Americans. I honor the valor of the Indian security forces and am proud that under President Trump, the United States extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face justice for his role in planning these horrific attacks.”

Remembering 26/11

The Mumbai terror attacks of November 26, 2008—commonly referred to as 26/11—remain etched in India’s collective memory as a moment of unprecedented violence and trauma. Over four days, a group of 10 heavily armed terrorists carried out coordinated assaults across some of Mumbai’s most crowded and prominent locations, killing 166 people and injuring more than 300.

The attackers, trained and directed by Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), entered Mumbai via the sea route on the night of November 26. Their targets were carefully selected after extensive reconnaissance to maximise casualties and global attention. These included luxury hotels frequented by foreign nationals, major transport hubs, and public spaces integral to the city’s social and economic life.

Among the primary targets were the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the Oberoi-Trident Hotel, both of which were under siege for nearly three days. Other attack sites included Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, one of India’s busiest railway stations; the Jewish centre at Nariman House; Cama Hospital; Metro Cinema; and the Leopold Café. The attacks paralysed Mumbai and shocked the international community, bringing the threat of cross-border terrorism into sharp global focus.

Valor amid chaos

During the siege, Indian security forces—including local police, the National Security Guard (NSG), and other agencies—mounted a prolonged and dangerous counter-terrorism operation. Despite being outgunned in the initial hours, personnel continued to engage the terrorists, rescuing hostages and preventing even greater loss of life.

Nine of the 10 attackers were killed during the operation. The sole surviving terrorist, Ajmal Amir Kasab, was captured alive, tried in an Indian court, and sentenced to death in May 2010. He was executed in November 2012 at Yerwada Central Jail in Pune.

Gor’s tribute specifically acknowledged the bravery of Indian security forces, echoing sentiments long shared by international leaders who have recognised the scale of the sacrifice made by first responders during the attacks.

Extradition of Tahawwur Rana

The US ambassador’s remarks also drew attention to the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian businessman of Pakistani origin, who is accused of playing a key role in facilitating the Mumbai attacks. Rana was extradited from the United States to India in April 2025 after years of legal proceedings.

Rana is alleged to have assisted David Coleman Headley—one of the main conspirators—in carrying out reconnaissance of the attack sites in Mumbai. Indian investigators have maintained that Rana was aware of the terror plot and provided logistical and operational support.

Following his extradition, Rana was taken into custody by Indian authorities and interrogated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He is currently in judicial custody, and proceedings against him are ongoing. Indian officials have described his extradition as a major diplomatic and legal success, underscoring growing cooperation between India and the United States on counter-terrorism.

Diplomatic significance

Gor’s visit to the 26/11 memorial comes at a time when India-US relations continue to deepen across strategic, economic, and security domains. His public acknowledgment of the extradition process reflects Washington’s effort to project a firm stance against terrorism and reinforce its partnership with New Delhi.

The ambassador’s Mumbai visit was part of his early engagements after formally assuming office. Just days earlier, on January 14, Gor presented his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, officially beginning his tenure as the US envoy to India.

While in Mumbai, Gor also met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra. He additionally visited the Gateway of India, a landmark that itself bore witness to the city’s vulnerability during the 2008 attacks, as the terrorists had used the nearby waterfront to enter Mumbai.

A message of remembrance and resolve

By choosing the 26/11 memorial as one of his early stops, Gor sent a strong symbolic message about remembrance, accountability, and international cooperation. His words resonated not only with families of the victims but also with a broader audience that continues to view the attacks as a turning point in India’s internal security architecture and counter-terrorism policies.

Seventeen years after the attacks, the memory of 26/11 remains a painful reminder of the human cost of terrorism. The tribute by the US ambassador, coupled with renewed focus on bringing conspirators to justice, reflects an ongoing commitment—both domestic and international—to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that such a tragedy is never repeated.

As Gor noted in his message, the visit was not only about remembering the past but also about reaffirming a shared resolve for the future: that the sacrifices made in Mumbai in 2008 continue to guide efforts to combat terrorism worldwide.