During his two-day visit to Japan (August 29–30, 2025), PM Modi traveled from Tokyo to Sendai aboard the Shinkansen with Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba, observed cutting-edge ALFA-X high-speed train technology, and met Indian train drivers training with JR East—underscoring deepening bilateral ties in infrastructure and tech cooperation.

PM Modi Rides Bullet Train with Japanese PM, Welcomes Indian Loco-Pilots Training Abroad

A Journey Symbolizing India–Japan Strategic and Technological Partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day official visit to Japan (August 29–30, 2025) culminated in a high-speed symbolic journey aboard the Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Sendai with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The ride not only showcased cutting-edge rail technology but also reaffirmed the deep and forward-looking partnership between the two nations.

Upon arrival, Modi was met with enthusiastic chants of “Modi-san, welcome!” from local and Indian diaspora crowds in Sendai, reflecting the warmth of bilateral relations and widespread support for enhanced Indo–Japanese cooperation.

During the ride, Modi and Ishiba observed Japan’s advanced ALFA-X bullet train prototype, receiving a briefing from the chairman of East Japan Railway Company (JR East), who also oversees the innovative high-speed rail technology.

From Technology to Talent—India’s Loco-Pilots Training in Japan

Reaching Sendai, PM Modi interacted with Indian train drivers undergoing training with JR East. Posing for photos and engaging with the trainees, he highlighted the importance of human resource development and technological exchange in shaping India’s own high-speed rail ambitions.

This alignment of Indian talent with Japanese rail expertise underscores the broader “Make in India” and technology transfer agenda—a vision deeply rooted in the ongoing India–Japan strategic partnership.

Strategic Pillars and Economic Vision Ahead

The bullet train journey was embedded within the broader context of the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit, where the two countries signed key agreements and adopted a “joint vision” for the next decade, covering areas like defense, clean energy, technology, and space.

Japan committed to increasing annual private investment in India to approximately $6.8 billion over the coming decade, up from $2.7 billion in the 2010s, and pledged expanded exchanges of half a million students and workers within five years to address Japan’s demographic challenges while tapping into India’s youthful workforce.

The partners also reaffirmed their commitment to the Quad framework (India, Japan, U.S., Australia) and expressed concern over regional tensions, especially in maritime domains, reinforcing their shared strategic outlook.

Symbolism Meets Infrastructure—Linkages to India’s Bullet Train Ambition

Modi’s ride on the Shinkansen resonates deeply with India’s flagship Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, which uses Japanese Shinkansen technology and is slated to open in phases between 2027 and 2028 Wikipedia. The collaborative exchange of expertise—from technology to training—signals ongoing momentum in realizing India’s bullet train ambitions in collaboration with Japan.

Cultural Resonance and People-to-People Bonds

The visit also featured cultural gestures, such as the presentation of a traditional Daruma doll symbolizing good luck, and Tokyo Skytree being illuminated in Indian national colors to honor Modi’s arrival. These moments reflect the deep cultural affinity and emotional resonance between the two nations, extending beyond policy and infrastructure.

PM Modi’s symbolic high-speed ride with Japanese PM Ishiba, combined with engagement with Indian drivers training in Japan, epitomizes a broad and ambitious agenda—from infrastructure and investment to human capital and cultural ties. As both nations look ahead to a decade of shared innovation, the journey from Tokyo to Sendai stands as a metaphor for the fast-tracked friendship and forward momentum in the India–Japan strategic partnership.