India, Russia to be linked by rail? Moscow floats proposal, calls it 'viable'

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has suggested exploring the possibility of a direct rail connection between Russia and India, passing through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. This proposal aims to mitigate the risks associated with the Bosphorus strait and the Strait of Hormuz, which have been disrupted due to recent tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran.

Khusnullin stated that any corridor leading to India would be considered viable. The initiative comes at a critical time, as maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles around 20% of global oil trade and nearly 20% of worldwide LNG shipments, has been affected by the ongoing conflict. Furthermore, Khusnullin emphasized the importance of investing in Russia's construction sector, noting that it has the capacity to handle an additional one trillion rubles annually. If funded over a five-year period, the industry could expand its capacity even further.