PM Modi and Fumio Kishida advance Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train talks at G-7 summit

PM Modi, Japanese PM Kishida agree to advance infrastructure, cultural ties

During the sidelines of the G-7 Summit 2024 held in Italy’s Apulia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The discussions primarily focused on key projects and bilateral cooperation between India and Japan, as outlined in an official statement.

A significant topic of conversation was the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project, which is set to revolutionise mobility in India. The project entails a targeted investment of 5 trillion yen from Japan within the period of 2022-2027. This initiative is being developed on Japan's renowned Shinkansen System, marking India's entry into high-speed rail technology.

The proposed bullet train is expected to operate at speeds of up to 320 km per hour, significantly faster than India's current fastest trains, the Gatiman Express and the Vande Bharat Express, which run at 160 km per hour. Upon completion, the high-speed rail corridor will reduce travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad from six hours to just two hours.

Prime Minister Modi, who addressed the G-7 Summit on topics including Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean, emphasised the importance of strong ties between India and Japan for regional peace, security, and prosperity, especially in the Indo-Pacific region amidst China's assertive actions.

In a statement following the meeting, PM Modi highlighted areas of mutual interest for collaboration, including defence, technology, semiconductors, clean energy, and digital technology. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, now in its tenth year.

The discussions concluded with a commitment to further deepen bilateral cooperation across new and emerging sectors, enhance business-to-business and people-to-people ties, and strengthen infrastructure and cultural linkages. The leaders agreed to continue their dialogue at the next annual India-Japan summit.