What Did PM Modi and Ishiba Discuss During Their Bullet Train Journey?

Tokyo, Aug 30 (NationPress) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba revealed that he and PM Narendra Modi engaged in extensive discussions regarding railways during their hour-and-a-half Shinkansen journey to Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture. This trip was part of a visit to Tokyo Electron Miyagi Ltd (TEL Miyagi), a prominent player in the semiconductor industry, on Saturday.

They were bid farewell at Tokyo Station by an Indian driver in training at JR East, before boarding the Shinkansen to Sendai Station.

During the ride, they had an open dialogue focusing on railways, covering the future of high-speed rail in India, the history and precision of Japan's Shinkansen, and its proven safety record, as later detailed by the Japanese Prime Minister's office.

“I had the privilege of riding the Shinkansen with Prime Minister Modi again today. We shared lunch and toured Tokyo Electron. While he had previously taken the Tokaido Shinkansen, this was his inaugural ride on the Tohoku Shinkansen. Experiencing its comfort in person truly enhances appreciation, and I think being in the driver’s seat allowed him to feel its speed,” Ishiba shared with reporters afterward.

The two leaders also learned about the test train 'ALFA-X', and during their journey, they explored the E5 Series Shinkansen driver's cab, experiencing its maximum speed of 320 kilometers per hour firsthand.

“The adoption of Japan's Shinkansen technology has been a continuous thread from the Abe administration through the Suga and Kishida administrations, and now to us. It was incredibly significant for them to ride the train and understand the tireless work we have put into ensuring accuracy and safety,” Ishiba added.

“The E10 series train is unprecedented, so they couldn’t ride it, but they did see the 'ALFA-X' test train at Omiya Station. It was important for them to view this test vehicle, which we are considering for introduction in India,” the Japanese Prime Minister noted.

The current Shinkansen lineup features E5 trains, with the next generation being E10. In the spirit of the strategic partnership between Japan and India, the Japanese government has committed to introducing E10 Shinkansen trains for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet train project, with simultaneous launches in both nations.

“India is nine times larger than Japan; what does constructing a Shinkansen or high-speed railway mean there? How will it transform India? What will the fare be? How will it aid economic growth? Will it also transport goods or include overnight sleeper services? I recall hearing that Modi often used overnight trains to New Delhi when he was a Diet member. I had similar experiences, and we resonated on many points. Railways are a communal space where everyone on board connects, and as Modi described, it’s 'like a festival.' We shared this sentiment deeply,” Ishiba concluded on Saturday.