Russia proposes direct rail link to India via Central Asia

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin recently announced that Moscow is exploring the feasibility of establishing a direct rail link to India. In an interview with the TASS news agency, Khusnullin suggested that such a corridor could pass through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to reach the Indian Ocean. He emphasized that any route providing direct connectivity to India would be considered a viable option for freight transport between the two nations.

The proposal is framed as a strategic response to increasing security risks and political volatility in critical maritime chokepoints, specifically the Strait of Hormuz and the Bosphorus. By creating an overland freight corridor, Russia seeks to reduce its dependence on these vulnerable sea lanes. While the project is intended to strengthen bilateral trade, analysts have noted that it faces significant logistical and financial challenges, including the necessity of securing cooperation from all transit countries.