Russia proposes direct rail link to India to bypass Bosphorus & Hormuz straits

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin proposed exploring a direct rail link from Moscow to the Indian Ocean to circumvent potential risks associated with the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz, following geopolitical conflicts such as those taking place in West Asia. This alternative route could potentially bypass the need for maritime shipping through these straits, which have been sources of contention and disruption.

Khusnullin suggested that such a rail corridor could traverse Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, with any viable option being acceptable as long as it allows access to India. However, constructing such a large-scale rail link across two continents and four countries poses significant logistical challenges, high costs, and requires securing cooperation and protection from potentially hostile neighbors, particularly Pakistan. The proposal does not include a detailed plan, estimated costs, or timeline for implementation.

If the rail link were eventually developed, it would create a direct overland freight route connecting Russia with India, providing an alternative to the conventional maritime shipping routes. This would not only enhance trade and transportation efficiency but also reduce dependence on vulnerable sea routes. While the Yiwu-Madrid railway is the longest freight train line in the world, spanning over 13,000 km, it currently traverses only eight countries compared to the proposed route's potential multi-country journey.