Japan to gift shinkansen trains to India for inspection, boosting bullet train project

Japan is planning to provide India high-speed shinkansen trains as inspection vehicles for free, as per reports.

This will help the development of India’s first bullet train project, currently under development between Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

These vehicles will help understand the aerodynamics and safety systems of the trains, as per reports.

Earlier this year, Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal had called Japan a key ally in India's economic growth, with foreign direct investment (FDI) from Japan exceeding $43 billion between 2000 and 2024, making it India's fifth-largest source of foreign investment

Addressing the India-Japan Economy and Investment Forum, the minister highlighted that the ‘Seven Lucky Gods’ of Japan have origins in Indian tradition, underscoring the deep cultural ties between the two nations.

The Minister further stated that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed in 2011, has significantly strengthened bilateral trade, with over 1,400 Japanese companies operating in India and 11 industrial townships across eight states hosting Japanese enterprises.

He pointed out that major infrastructure projects such as the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail and metro systems in Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai reflect Japan's active participation in India's development.

Goyal expressed optimism about the commencement of the Shinkansen bullet train service between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in the near future.

Today, India and Japan are collaborating to build globally competitive brands, said the minister, citing the example of Maruti exporting vehicles to various countries, including Japan.

On quality standards, the Minister stated that Japan serves as a benchmark for excellence and that India seeks to adopt similar high standards in manufacturing.

(with inputs from syndicated feed)