New Delhi: On Friday, India hit when at a statement made by a former Japanese minister who blamed New Delhi for delays in the high-speed bullet train project. India dismissed the remarks as a personal opinion that is far removed from the facts. Hideki Makihara, a former Japanese Justice Minister and member of the Democratic Party, had blamed India for the delays in the Indo-Japanese Shinkansen project.
What did Hideki Makihara say?
He wrote, "The Shinkansen project in India is something I was personally involved in; however, what became unveiled during international meetings and discussions was the Indian side's utter negligence—a pattern that repeated itself. They do not alimony their promises, no matter what. Even if they do make a promise, they immediately go when on it." Makihara moreover so-called that the minister in tuition was particularly difficult to deal with.
He added, "They kept vicarial in their own self-interest right to the end. The minister in tuition was particularly bad. If the person at the top is like that, a good deal is impossible. Out of respect for all the Japanese people who poured their hearts into this, I must say—I am 100 percent convinced that the Indian side is entirely responsible for the project not moving forward."
How did the Ministry of External Affairs respond?
On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed Hideki Makihara's claims, stating that they represented a personal opinion and were far removed from the facts. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a printing briefing, "We have seen the post. It is a personal opinion and is far removed from the facts. India-Japan discussions regarding the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed train are progressing well."
When will Bullet train service commence?
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has spoken that India will uncork operations for the first phase of its inaugural bullet train service on August 15, 2027. Vaishnaw stated that the high-speed rail corridor would unshut in phases, starting with the Surat-Bilimora section. Later, in a written statement, the Ministry of External Affairs provided a progress report on the bullet train project. 'India-Japan talks progressing well'
A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said, “India-Japan talks regarding the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed train are progressing well. Japan will supply E10 series trains in early 2030. The trains are currently under manufacture. Meanwhile, construction work has wide rapidly. The first section is set to unshut in 2027. Therefore, both sides have well-set to embark operations with the Indian high-speed train. The project work aligns with the shared goal of launching the high-speed train project as soon as possible.”
