Ashwini Vaishnaw: India’s Global Rail Exports &amp Make in India Success

Union Minister for Ashwini Shri Ashwini Vaishnav visited Alstom’s Salvi facility in Gujarat, focusing on maintenance practices and recommending Indian adopt similar innovations. The plant manufactures advanced commuter and Rail transit train cars, aligning with the Government of India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. Since 2016, India has exported 1,002 rail cars for international projects, including 450 from Salvi to Australia for the Queensland Metro. The Indian-made rail products are now reaching multiple countries, boosting the local economy and generating employment through a robust supplier ecosystem.

Showcasing India’s Global Rail Footprint

Union Minister Vaishnav recently underscored India’s expanding footprint in global railway exports, hailing it as a major milestone in the Make in India journey. India has now become a dependable supplier of advanced equipment, coaches, and signalling systems to several countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. From Vaned Bharat trainsets to metro coaches and electric locomotives, Indian manufacturing is now meeting international standards and competing globally. For example, Indian has already supplied coaches to countries like Mozambique, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. For more on exports, visit the (Indian Railways)

Ashwini Vaishnav, India’s Minister for, recently emphasized the country’s growing role in global rail exports, marking it as a proud outcome of the Make in India initiative. From supplying modern coaches to nations like Sri Lanka and Mozambique to showcasing indigenous technologies like Vande Bharat trains, India is rapidly becoming a key player in international rail infrastructure. Vaishnav highlighted that this success reflects not only improved manufacturing but also India’s ability to meet global standards.

Make in India: Fuelling Domestic Growth with Global Impact

The Minister highlighted how the Make in India initiative has become the driving force behind technological self-reliance in the rail sector. Flagship manufacturing hubs like and have ramped up not just production but also design capabilities. These facilities now produce high-speed, lightweight, energy-efficient coaches suitable for both domestic and international use. Vaishnav emphasized that these achievements reflect India’s ability to not only serve local transportation needs but also offer sustainable, cost-effective alternatives to the global market.

Digital and Technological Advancements

Under the Minister’s leadership, Indian is adopting advanced technologies like 5G-based signalling, AI-driven asset management, and predictive maintenance systems. These enhancements are now part of exportable railway solutions, boosting India’s appeal as a global rail-tech provider. The rollout of indigenous Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), known as Kovach, is being eyed for deployment beyond Indian borders, with interest from neighbouring nations. For details on India’s rail tech initiatives, check out the (Ministry of Railway)

Boost to Local Manufacturing and Employment

Vaishnav also highlighted how railway exports and Make in India efforts have created thousands of jobs, especially in states like Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab where major coach factories are located. The initiative empowers MSMEs, start-ups, and component suppliers through local sourcing mandates. Collaborations with companies under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme have further spurred growth in domestic component manufacturing.

Geopolitical Impact and Soft Power

India’s growing role in railway exports also strengthens its geopolitical influence. diplomacy has become an effective soft power tool, deepening ties with partner nations through capacity building, training, and infrastructure support. Whether it’s metro systems in Mauritius or diesel locomotives in Tanzania, Indian-built systems are now seen as symbols of trust and affordability. As Vaishnav pointed out, “India is not just building for itself, but also shaping the future of sustainable mobility globally.”