Russia is exploring a strategic overland rail link to connect it with the Indian Ocean and India, aiming to secure freight transport and bypass vulnerable maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Bosphorus Strait. The proposal was floated by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin and first reported by TASS on August 6.
Khusnullin's proposal
In an interview with TASS, Khusnullin said a railway route to the Indian Ocean "should also be explored," warning that 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," he said.
Khusnullin also addressed Russia's construction capacity, stating that the 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.
Strategic context
The proposal comes amid disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy supplies. TASS reported that on February 28, the US and Israel initiated a war against Iran, leading to attacks on major Iranian cities, including Tehran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a large-scale retaliatory operation targeting Israel and US military facilities in Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Iranian authorities subsequently decided to block the Strait of Hormuz to vessels linked to the United States, Israel, and countries that supported the aggression against Iran.
Roughly 25% of global oil trade and about 20% of LNG shipments transit through the Strait of Hormuz, according to TASS.
Implications for India
India has emerged as the world's fastest-growing economy and imports over 85% of its crude oil requirement. The country has increased purchases of Russian oil amid the choking of the Strait of Hormuz after the Iran war. Russian crude comprised over 50% of India's oil imports during July this year, as it was available at a reasonable price even as global prices soared due to the Middle East conflict, according to Lokmat Times.
The rail route would give Moscow an alternative route to reach markets in India and the wider Global South without facing major Western sanctions and shipping constraints since its 2022 attack on Ukraine. The Bosphorus Strait is controlled by Turkey, which puts Russia's trade at a disadvantage.
Risks and expert views
The proposal remains exploratory, but experts say prevailing tensions in Afghanistan and Pakistan mean any rail route via these countries would not be free of risks. Analysts note that the initiative underlines the need by various countries to seek alternative trade corridors so that chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Bosphorus do not disrupt supply chains and arrest economic growth.