Russia to India via train? Moscow floats ambitious railway route, says link "should be explored"
Moscow, August 9
Russia must examine the feasibility of constructing a direct rail link to the Indian Ocean to mitigate transit hazards linked to the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin stated in an interview with news agency TASS.
Elaborating on potential corridors, Khusnullin noted that alternative transit options could traverse Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, emphasising that any route offering connectivity to India would be considered viable. The proposed network, if realised, would establish direct overland rail freight access between Russia and India.
"A rail link to the Indian Ocean should also be explored. Risks related to the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz might require alternative routes: through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Any options providing access to India are acceptable," Khusnullin was quoted as saying by TASS.
The proposal for alternative trade routes emerges against the backdrop of escalating maritime disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz following armed hostilities involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
On February 28, joint military strikes were launched against Iran, targeting key urban centres, including Tehran. In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) initiated retaliatory missile and drone operations against Israeli positions and US military bases across Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
Consequently, Tehran announced a maritime blockade of the Strait of Hormuz against vessels affiliated with the US, Israel, and allied nations involved in the operations against Iran. The strategic chokepoint accounts for approximately 25 per cent of global oil trade and nearly 20 per cent of worldwide liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments.
Beyond international logistics corridors, Khusnullin addressed the domestic economic framework, asserting that Russia's construction sector requires sustained, long-term financial backing.
He pointed out that the domestic building industry currently possesses the capacity to absorb an extra one trillion rubles on an annual basis. "The construction industry is already capable of handling an additional one trillion rubles annually. However, if such a volume is secured for the next five years, it would be possible to expand capacity and build even more," he added.
— ANI
Reader Comments
If they can pull this off, it would be a game-changer for India-Russia trade! We've been looking for alternatives ever since the Ukraine conflict started. But the question is - will these countries even cooperate? Pakistan hasn't even allowed us overflight rights in the past. This seems more like a dream than a practical plan right now. Still, good to see Russia thinking creatively about connectivity.
As much as I'd love to see better Russia-India connectivity, going through Afghanistan and Pakistan is a no-go for India. We have the INSTC through Iran which is our strategic choice. Russia needs to understand our security concerns first. The Bosphorus issue is real, but India shouldn't compromise its position on Pakistan or get entangled in Afghanistan's instability for a railway project.
This is actually a brilliant geopolitical move by Russia to counter Western sanctions. And for India, any alternative to the volatile Strait of Hormuz is welcome - especially after those US-Iran tensions. But the costs and timelines for such a project would be enormous. Let's see if this becomes a real proposal or just political rhetoric for now. 😊
With the Strait of Hormuz being blocked and Bosphorus risks, India definitely needs diversification. Russia is our trusted friend but this route through Pakistan is a serious pain point. Why not just expand the Vladivostok-Chennai sea route instead? That already makes some sense. This land route seems like a pipe dream honestly. But credit to Moscow for thinking ahead! 🇮🇳🇷🇺
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