Russia is exploring the feasibility of establishing a direct rail connection with India as an alternative land route for transporting goods to the Indian Ocean, amid growing concerns over shipping risks in the Straits of Hormuz and Bosphorus.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin outlined the possibility in an interview with the Russian state-run news agency TASS, saying Moscow considers it important to assess the feasibility of a direct rail connection to the Indian Ocean.
Khusnullin said alternative trade routes could become necessary as risks associated with shipping through the Bosphorus and Hormuz increase. Developing an overland rail corridor, he suggested, could provide a more stable option for trade between Russia and India.
Explaining the possible route, the Russian deputy prime minister said the proposed railway could potentially connect Russia with India through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. He said any route capable of establishing a connection with India could be considered a viable alternative.
“We should consider whether it is possible to build a railway to the Indian Ocean. Due to the risks in the Bosphorus and Hormuz, an alternative route may be needed, such as one passing through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Any alternative that establishes a connection with India could be acceptable,” Khusnullin said.
If implemented, the proposed rail network could create a direct overland rail route for freight between Russia and India. Such a connection could reduce reliance on maritime transportation while making commercial links between the two countries more efficient and resilient.
Russia’s proposal comes amid disruptions to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz following the conflict involving Iran. Rising tensions around the strategically important waterway have also raised concerns about their potential impact on global trade.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) began missile and drone attacks against U.S. military bases in Israel, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Iran subsequently announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important trade and energy routes. The waterway accounts for approximately 25 percent of global oil trade and around 20 percent of worldwide liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments.
Escalating tensions along the crucial energy corridor have left numerous oil tankers stranded, with significant consequences for India. Both India and Russia have also faced difficulties in maintaining oil trade between the two countries.
Against this backdrop, Moscow is considering a potential overland rail route as an alternative means of keeping commercial links operational and reducing exposure to disruptions along major maritime routes.
Source: NDTV.