India Rejects Former Japanese Minister’s Claims Over Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Delay, Says Project on Track

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India has firmly rejected criticism from a former Japanese minister who blamed New Delhi for delays in the ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project, describing his remarks as a personal opinion that does not reflect the reality of cooperation between the two countries. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India and Japan continue to work closely on the landmark infrastructure project and that discussions remain constructive, with significant progress being made on construction and future operations.

The diplomatic response came after Hideki Makihara, Japan’s former Justice Minister and a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, posted strongly worded comments on social media accusing India of repeatedly failing to honor commitments during negotiations over the high-speed rail corridor. His remarks quickly attracted attention in both countries because the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project is regarded as one of the most important symbols of strategic and economic cooperation between India and Japan.

Responding to questions during a media briefing on Friday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed the allegations and stressed that they were inconsistent with the actual status of bilateral discussions. “We have seen the post. It is an individual opinion and at considerable variance with facts. India-Japan discussions on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed train are progressing well,” Jaiswal said.

The MEA’s response sought to reassure stakeholders that the relationship between New Delhi and Tokyo remains strong despite the controversy surrounding Makihara’s statements. Officials emphasized that the project continues to move forward under the shared objective of introducing India’s first high-speed rail service as early as possible.

Makihara, who had previously been associated with the Shinkansen initiative in India, claimed that negotiations with Indian officials had been difficult. In his post on X, he alleged that the Indian side repeatedly failed to keep promises and frequently changed its position during discussions. He further criticized the leadership overseeing the project, arguing that the delays were entirely India’s responsibility and expressing disappointment on behalf of Japanese professionals involved in the initiative.

His comments represented one of the sharpest public criticisms by a senior Japanese political figure regarding the high-profile rail project. However, the Indian government was quick to distance the bilateral partnership from those personal remarks and reiterated that official engagement between both governments remains positive.

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project has been one of India’s most ambitious transportation initiatives since it was formally launched through an agreement signed between India and Japan in 2015. Designed to connect Mumbai, the country’s financial capital, with Ahmedabad in Gujarat across a distance of approximately 508 kilometres, the corridor is expected to transform intercity travel by dramatically reducing travel time while introducing Japanese Shinkansen technology to India.

When the agreement was signed, the estimated project cost stood at around ₹97,630 crore. Japan committed to financing nearly 81 percent of the project through a highly concessional loan carrying extremely low interest rates and an extended repayment period. The project was originally expected to be completed within seven years.

However, execution faced multiple hurdles over the years. Land acquisition emerged as the biggest challenge, particularly in Maharashtra, where acquiring land for the rail corridor proved slower than anticipated. Legal issues, environmental clearances, and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic also affected construction schedules. Political changes in Maharashtra further contributed to uncertainty during the initial years of implementation.

Despite those setbacks, construction activity has accelerated considerably over the past two years. Massive bridge construction, station development, tunnel excavation, and viaduct work are now progressing across different sections of the alignment. Railway officials have repeatedly stated that engineering work has gained momentum after land acquisition challenges were largely resolved.

Providing an update on future operations, the MEA announced that Japan will supply its next-generation E10 Series high-speed trains in the early 2030s. Since the E10 trains are still under development, India and Japan have jointly agreed on an interim operational strategy to ensure that passenger services begin without unnecessary delay.

According to Jaiswal, the first operational stretch scheduled to open in 2027 will initially use an Indian high-speed train rather than waiting for the E10 Series. He explained that signalling equipment has already been ordered in accordance with international specifications and that no alternative Japanese proposal had been received regarding this interim arrangement.

The decision reflects a practical approach aimed at ensuring the project begins serving passengers while advanced rolling stock continues to be developed. It also demonstrates the flexibility both governments have shown in adapting project timelines without compromising long-term objectives.

The first operational section will connect Surat and Bilimora in Gujarat. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently confirmed that work on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project is progressing rapidly and announced that this stretch is expected to become operational next year.

Speaking about the construction timeline, Vaishnaw said the railway network would expand in phases after the Surat-Bilimora section opens. Subsequent sections are expected to extend from Vapi to Surat, then Vapi to Ahmedabad, followed by Ahmedabad to Thane, and eventually complete the full Ahmedabad-Mumbai corridor.

This phased commissioning strategy is intended to allow passenger operations to begin earlier while construction continues on the remaining portions of the corridor. Transport experts believe this approach could help build public confidence in high-speed rail and generate operational experience before the full route becomes functional.

Beyond transportation, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project carries significant strategic value for both countries. For India, it represents a major leap toward modernizing rail infrastructure and introducing world-class high-speed mobility. The project is also expected to create thousands of jobs, stimulate manufacturing, strengthen engineering capabilities, and encourage technology transfer in advanced rail systems.

For Japan, the project serves as a flagship international showcase for Shinkansen technology, reinforcing Tokyo’s role as a trusted infrastructure partner in the Indo-Pacific region. The collaboration has become an important pillar of the broader India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, which spans infrastructure, defence, technology, investment, and regional security cooperation.

The diplomatic exchange also comes shortly after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited India for high-level discussions focused on expanding economic cooperation and strengthening strategic ties amid evolving geopolitical dynamics in Asia. Her visit underscored both nations’ shared commitment to deepening collaboration across multiple sectors despite occasional disagreements on individual issues.

India’s swift response to Makihara’s criticism appears aimed at preventing personal political comments from overshadowing a project that remains central to bilateral cooperation. Officials have maintained that both governments continue to coordinate closely and remain committed to completing one of the largest and most technologically advanced railway projects ever undertaken in the country.

As construction gathers pace and operational milestones approach, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project is entering a decisive phase. If the 2027 target for the first operational section is achieved, it will mark the beginning of India’s high-speed rail era while reaffirming the long-term partnership between India and Japan in delivering transformative infrastructure.