Russia Eyes Railway Link to Indian Ocean Amid Disruptions to Key Chokepoints

Russia is exploring an alternative route to India by proposing a railway link to the Indian Ocean. This move comes as Moscow seeks to reduce its dependence on existing maritime routes, particularly after disruptions to key chokepoints such as the Bosphorus and Strait of Hormuz.

The proposal was made by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, who suggested that a rail link to the Indian Ocean could provide an alternative route for transporting goods towards India. He noted that risks associated with the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz might require alternative routes through countries such as Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

The proposed railway remains at the discussion stage, and there is currently no confirmed timeline for its construction. However, this move gains strategic importance in light of recent disruptions to global trade, particularly after a 95% decline in liquefied natural gas exports through the Strait of Hormuz.