Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal at a press briefing in New Delhi on Friday
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New Delhi, July 17India and Japan have agreed to commence operations on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor using indigenously developed high-speed trainsets until Japan’s next-generation E10 Shinkansen becomes available in the early 2030s, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday.The clarification comes amid speculation over the rolling stock planned for India’s first bullet train project.In a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said discussions between India and Japan on the high-speed rail project are progressing well.According to the MEA, Japan will provide the E10 train series, currently under development, only in the early 2030s. Since the first section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor is scheduled to become operational in 2027, both countries have agreed to begin commercial operations with an Indian high-speed train.E10 train series“Japan will provide E10 train series but only in early 2030s. The train in question is still under development. Meanwhile, construction work has rapidly progressed. First section will be opened in 2027 itself. Therefore, both sides agreed to start the operations with Indian high-speed train,” Jaiswal said.Besides, he added that signalling equipment for the project has already been ordered in line with this operational plan and conforms to international specifications.“The signalling equipment has been ordered accordingly and is in line with international specifications,” he said.Furthermore, the spokesperson rejected suggestions that Japan had made any alternative proposal regarding the trainsets.“No Japanese offer was received in this context,” he said.As per the MEA, implementation of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project continues in line with the shared objective of commencing operations at the earliest.“The project execution is in line with the common goal of starting the high-speed train project at the earliest,” Jaiswal said.The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor, being implemented with Japanese financial and technological assistance.It will be India’s first bullet train project and is expected to serve as the template for future high-speed rail corridors in the country.Published on July 17, 2026
