India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday, 17 July firmly rejected remarks made by a former Japanese minister about delays in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, calling them an 'individual opinion' that is 'at considerable variance with facts.' The pushback came during a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, where MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed media queries on the matter.

What the MEA Said

Randhir Jaiswal was unequivocal in his response. 'We have seen the post that has been referred to. It is an individual opinion and is at considerable variance with facts,' he stated. He went on to assert that India-Japan discussions on the high-speed rail corridor are 'in fact, progressing well.'

On the question of rolling stock, Jaiswal clarified that Japan will supply E10 series trains, but only in the early 2030s, as that train variant is still under development. In the interim, both sides have agreed to launch operations using an Indian high-speed train. 'Therefore, both sides agreed to start the operations with the Indian high-speed train,' he said.

The Remarks That Triggered the Rebuttal

Former Japanese Justice Minister Hideki Makihara had posted comments on his social media account in response to an opinion piece, raising concerns about the project's situation and its signal system. The MEA directly addressed the signalling concern, stating that the equipment has been ordered and is fully in line with international specifications. Jaiswal also noted: 'No Japanese offer was received in this context. The project execution is in line with the common goal of starting the high-speed train project at the earliest.'

Project Status and Timeline

The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project is India's first high-speed rail corridor, and according to an official factsheet issued last month, it represents a transformative phase in the country's railway development. Significant progress has been recorded across civil works, bridge construction, and tunnelling.

Crucially, the first section of the corridor is slated to open in 2027. In January, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had announced that India is likely to see its first high-speed rail service launch on 15 August 2027 — India's Independence Day.

Broader Context

The MAHSR corridor has been a flagship symbol of the India-Japan strategic partnership, with Japan providing both financing and technical expertise. The project has faced scrutiny over land acquisition delays and construction timelines in the past. This is not the first time external commentary on the project's pace has drawn an official response from New Delhi. The MEA's sharp rebuttal signals sensitivity around any narrative that could be perceived as undermining a high-profile bilateral infrastructure commitment. With the 2027 partial opening now a stated government target, the coming months will be critical for on-ground delivery.