August 30, 2025 – India and Japan are considering a strategic partnership to jointly manufacture the advanced E10 Shinkansen bullet trains in India, officials confirmed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Japan in late August 2025. The initiative builds on the long-standing Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project, India’s first high-speed rail corridor.
The proposed collaboration involves setting up manufacturing facilities in India to produce the next-generation E10 Shinkansen trains, developed by East Japan Railway Company (JR East). These trains, capable of speeds up to 400 km/h, feature cutting-edge seismic safety technology, making them well-suited for regions prone to earthquakes.
“This partnership represents a major milestone in India-Japan cooperation on high-speed rail technology,” an official statement said. “It aligns with India’s ‘Make in India’ vision while strengthening bilateral economic and technological ties.”
The E10 Shinkansen trains are expected to serve the 508-kilometer Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor. Construction of the project is ongoing, with several key milestones, including an undersea tunnel between Mumbai and Thane, already completed. Commercial operations are anticipated to begin around 2029.
Experts note that this collaboration not only accelerates India’s high-speed rail ambitions but also has the potential to generate significant employment and skill-development opportunities within the country’s rail manufacturing sector.
The move further highlights India and Japan’s commitment to enhancing strategic and technological cooperation. Both governments indicated that detailed discussions on timelines, production capacities, and technology transfer are ongoing, signaling a strengthened partnership in the infrastructure and transport sectors.
