Russia explores railway route to Indian Ocean, eyes land connectivity with India

New Delhi:Russia is exploring the possibility of developing a railway route that could eventually provide the country with land-based access to the Indian Ocean and connect it with India, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has said.

In an interview with Russian news agency TASS, Khusnullin said Moscow should examine alternative transport routes to reduce its dependence on key maritime chokepoints, including the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Khusnullin, one possible option could involve a railway corridor running from Russia through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan before reaching India. He said Russia would consider any route that could provide access to India.

The proposal, however, remains at an exploratory stage. There is currently no confirmed railway route, passenger train service, ticket pricing or launch date connecting Russia and India under the proposed plan.

Khusnullin highlighted the strategic importance of developing alternative routes amid concerns surrounding major maritime passages. The Strait of Hormuz is among the world’s most important shipping routes, with around 25 per cent of global oil trade and nearly 20 per cent of LNG shipments passing through it.

The Russian Deputy Prime Minister said concerns linked to the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz underline the need to explore alternative land-based transport corridors.

A railway connection towards India could provide Russia with another route to move goods towards the Indian Ocean without relying entirely on maritime transportation. It could also potentially strengthen Russia’s overland connectivity with Central and South Asia.

For India, such a corridor could open up new possibilities for connectivity with Russia and countries across Central Asia. If the proposed land link eventually takes shape, it could also create opportunities for greater movement of people and potentially facilitate tourist travel between the regions.

The proposal assumes significance as Russia considers a direct land-based connectivity option towards India. However, the route would involve several countries and would require extensive infrastructure development, as well as coordination on transit, security and cross-border movement.

IANS