Japan's Foreign Minister Rides Delhi Metro He Helped Fund

When Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stepped onto a Delhi Metro train Saturday, he wasn't just taking a ride. He was witnessing firsthand how Japanese investment has helped move millions of Indians safely and efficiently through their capital city every single day.

Motegi and Japanese Ambassador Keiichi Ono traveled from Central Secretariat to Patel Chowk station, getting briefed on the metro's construction and operations by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation officials. The Foreign Minister asked thoughtful questions about how the system works and continues to expand.

This wasn't a courtesy visit. The Japan International Cooperation Agency has financially supported the Delhi Metro since Phase I, helping turn it from an ambitious idea into a transportation lifeline that now serves over 6 million riders daily.

The partnership shows what's possible when nations invest in each other's infrastructure rather than just trade agreements on paper. Japanese expertise in rail systems combined with Indian engineering has created one of the world's most efficient metro networks.

The Ripple Effect

The Delhi Metro has done more than ease traffic congestion. It's reduced air pollution in one of the world's most polluted cities by getting cars off the road. It's created thousands of jobs in construction, operations, and maintenance. It's given women safer transportation options, expanding their access to education and employment.

The collaboration between India and Japan on this project has strengthened diplomatic ties while proving that infrastructure investment can be a form of friendship. Every train that runs on time, every safe commute home, every reduced carbon emission is a win that both countries share.

As Motegi prepares for strategic dialogue talks on Indo-Pacific cooperation and AI development, the metro ride served as a rolling reminder of what India and Japan have already achieved together.

The best partnerships aren't just about what you build, they're about the lives you improve along the way.