Russia explores direct rail link to India via Iran, Pakistan
text_fields
New Delhi: Russia is exploring the possibility of developing a railway route that could eventually provide it with land-based access to the Indian Ocean and establish connectivity with India, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has said.
In an interview with Russian news agency TASS, Khusnullin said Moscow should explore alternative transport routes to reduce its dependence on major maritime chokepoints, including the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz.
He said one possible option could be a railway corridor running from Russia through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan before reaching India. Russia would consider any route that could provide access to India, he added.
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 stressed the strategic importance of developing alternative transport corridors amid concerns over major maritime passages. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important shipping routes, accounting for around 25 per cent of global oil trade and nearly 20 per cent of LNG shipments.
The Russian Deputy Prime Minister said concerns surrounding the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz highlighted the need to explore alternative land-based transport corridors.
A railway connection towards India could provide Russia with another route to transport 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 create new connectivity opportunities with Russia and countries across Central Asia. If the proposed land link eventually takes shape, it could also facilitate greater movement of people and potentially support tourist travel between the regions.
The proposal assumes significance as Russia considers a direct land-based connectivity option towards India. However, the route would pass through several countries and require extensive infrastructure development, along with coordination on transit, security and cross-border movement.
With IANS inputs