With the 14-year prison term awarded to Tahawwur Rana, the US has sent a very clear message that terrorism will not be tolerated. The judgment may be viewed with a tinge of disappointment in India as Rana, a known associate of the maker of diabolical plots against this country, David Headley, has not been found guilty of conspiring in the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai.
India has every right to press on with its demand that the judgment in a Chicago court should not be taken as the last word in the matter and that the US authorities must consider an appeal against the sentence and press for charges with regard to the 26/11 attacks too. The US has, however, also said it is still looking for other 26/11 accused and that it would pursue the six who have already been named either as terrorists or handlers if they ever come into that country’s jurisdiction.
The subcontinent’s geopolitics may be complicated with the US viewing Pakistan as an ally in its fight against terror whereas India has no option but to view its prickly neighbour as a country not incapable of letting its espionage and counter-terrorism arms support terrorist action against India. Even so, it’s a given that the US and India are always known to pursue terrorists of any kind. Given that basic convergence of opinion and action, there is little room for doubt about where the two countries stand on this subject. To have Rana in prison after conviction on terrorism charges is also a victory.