MEA Hits Back At Former Japanese Minister Over Bullet Train Project Remarks

India on Friday dismissed remarks by former Japanese minister Hideki Makihara, who blamed New Delhi for delays in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project, describing his comments as an “individual opinion” that was “at considerable variance with facts”.

Makihara, Japan’s former Justice Minister and a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, had accused India of being responsible for the delays in the Indo-Japanese Shinkansen project.

Former Japanese Minister Blames India

In a social media post, Makihara said India’s approach during negotiations had hampered progress on the project.

“The Shinkansen project in India is something I was involved with myself, but what stood out in international meetings and negotiations was the sheer recklessness of the Indian side, repeated over and over. They just don’t keep promises, no matter what. Even if they make a promise, they flip it right away.”

@hmakihara को तो अंध भक्तो के पापा ने अंध भक्तो की बुआ बनाया था ना 🤔🤔

बुआ भक्तो के पापा के पैर खिंच रही हे… pic.twitter.com/zcBfLOiviU

— Shailesh Citizen and Stakeholder Of ROI🇮🇳. (@Shailesh_1284) July 17, 2026

He also criticised the Indian minister overseeing the project.

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“They keep pushing their own self-interest right up to the very end. The minister in charge was especially awful—if the top guy’s like that, there’s no way to have any decent dealings. For the honour of all the Japanese folks who poured their hearts into this, I have to say it: I feel 100% that the reason this hasn’t moved forward is entirely on the Indian side.”

MEA Rejects Allegations

Responding to the remarks, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the comments did not reflect the actual status of the project.

“We have seen the post. This is an individual opinion and is at considerable variance with facts. India-Japan discussions on Mumbai-Ahmedabad HSR are progressing well,” Jaiswal said during a press briefing.

India-Japan Bullet Train Project ‘Progressing Well’

In a subsequent written statement, the MEA reiterated that discussions between the two countries on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project were moving forward as planned.

“India-Japan discussions on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed train are progressing well. Japan will provide the E10 series train in the early 2030s. The train is still under development. Meanwhile, construction work has rapidly progressed. The first section will be opened in 2027. Therefore, both sides agreed to start the operations with the Indian high-speed train. The project execution is in line with the common goal of starting the high-speed train project at the earliest,” the MEA statement read.

First Phase To Open In 2027

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that the first phase of India’s maiden bullet train service will begin operations from August 15, 2027.

According to Vaishnaw, the high-speed rail corridor will be opened in phases, with services initially commencing on the Surat-Bilimora section.

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