India: Resumes Negotiations on Shinkansen E10 Trains for High-Speed Rail

India has restarted negotiations on the procurement of Shinkansen E10 trains for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project, aiming to launch 320 km/h services by 2030. The high-speed rail corridor, developed with Japanese technology, is under construction. Initial trials will use E5 Shinkansen trains manufactured by Hitachi Rail and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, while commercial operations are planned to adopt the next-generation E10 series.

Of the 508-km line, 310 km has been completed, and authorities plan to finish it on schedule to significantly shorten travel time. After negotiations with Japanese suppliers stalled in 2024, India launched a tender for the design of 250 km/h domestic trains and plans to build a domestic supply chain for components to strengthen local manufacturing. Earlier this year, Japan agreed to provide one E5 and one E3 train for free in early 2026 for testing; Indian manufacturer BEML plans to test its prototype on the line by the end of 2026, demonstrating local R&D ambition.

Experts say acquiring E10 trains will enhance India's international status in high-speed rail. The project is expected to transform travel, deepen India-Japan economic cooperation, and drive domestic railway technological innovation.