NEW DELHI, August 2025 — India is actively seeking deeper collaboration with Japan in expanding its national high-speed rail network, with more Japanese firms expected to bid for routes beyond the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, which already uses Shinkansen bullet train technology.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has publicly articulated a vision for a 7,000-kilometer high-speed rail network across India, and has called for “Make in India” partnerships to ensure that much of the new infrastructure is locally manufactured and operated in collaboration with Japanese expertise.

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project remains the flagship of this bilateral cooperation. It is designed to run on Japanese Shinkansen rolling stock (currently the E5 series), and discussions are underway about incorporating the next-generation E10 Shinkansen technology for future extensions and sections.

During Modi’s visit to Japan on August 29-30, meetings between Indian and Japanese leaders emphasized infrastructure, technology, and mobility cooperation. Indian officials expressed their desire for Japanese investment in additional high-speed rail corridors and in transfer of technology and manufacturing capabilities for joint ventures.

Through strengthened cooperation, India hopes to accelerate project timelines, improve infrastructure quality, and bolster bilateral economic ties, while also aligning with the government’s broader goals to modernize transport and enhance connectivity across the country.

Source: The Japan Times