It’s a super-duper high-speed game: Japan to bring E10 Shinkansen to India in $67 bn plan

Japan will introduce its latest E10 series Shinkansen bullet trains to India by early 2030 as part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project, a centrepiece of cooperation between Tokyo and New Delhi. The development was confirmed as part of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Japan, following talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

In a post on X, Modi said, “We chalked out a roadmap for the coming years which will focus on sectors like investment, innovation, environment, technology, health, mobility, people-to-people exchanges and state-prefecture partnerships.”

Both leaders reiterated the strategic significance of the high-speed rail initiative and pledged to accelerate the timeline for its operation. They agreed that cutting-edge Japanese technology would be installed without delay, with preparatory work to begin instantly. As part of the cooperation, India will receive a General Inspection Train (GIT) along with a set of E5 series Shinkansen rolling stock.

Also read | Japan to invest $60 billion in India over next decade, boost ties in AI and space

New Delhi has hailed the move as a milestone in modernising the country’s railway infrastructure, while highlighting its value as a symbol of India-Japan strategic economic ties.

During PM Modi’s visit, Japan set an ambitious investment goal of 10 trillion yen (₹60,000 crore), or approximately $67 billion, in private sector investment into India. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced the target, highlighting its significance in deepening economic collaboration.

At the India-Japan Business Forum, companies from both countries finalised nearly 150 agreements and partnerships valued at over $13 billion (₹10,790 crore). Commenting on the outcome, Misri observed that these deals were “reflective of the confidence that the business pillar has in our relationship.”

Also read | ‘After Suzuki and Daikin, your success story can be next’: PM Modi to Japan Inc

The E10 series represents the newest generation of Shinkansen technology, designed to deliver higher speeds, improved efficiency and enhanced passenger safety. Built to operate on advanced Japanese signalling systems, its deployment in India will mark the most sophisticated transfer of Japan’s bullet train expertise to date. Its launch in the early 2030s will stand as a landmark in India’s first high-speed rail corridor.