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NEW DELHI: Russia has proposed exploring a direct overland rail connection that could eventually link the country to India and the Indian Ocean.
The idea was floated by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin as part of Moscow’s broader effort to develop alternative trade routes and reduce dependence on vulnerable maritime chokepoints.
Speaking to the Russian news agency TASS, Khusnullin said a rail link to the Indian Ocean “should also be explored.”
He pointed to risks associated with the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz and suggested possible routes passing through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. “Any options providing access to India are acceptable,” he stated.
Why Russia Is Looking at Overland Alternatives
The proposal comes against the backdrop of heightened concerns over disruptions in major international shipping lanes.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, handling a substantial share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Any prolonged interruption can significantly affect energy supplies, shipping costs and international trade flows.
Russia is seeking land-based transport corridors that could offer more predictable alternatives for freight movement, particularly when maritime routes face geopolitical tensions or rising insurance costs.
A continuous rail network reaching the Indian Ocean would give Moscow additional options for trade with South Asia while reducing exposure to maritime bottlenecks.
Possible Route
One potential pathway discussed involves transit through Turkmenistan and Iran before extending further via Afghanistan and Pakistan towards India. If realised, such a corridor could create a direct overland rail freight link between Russia and India.
The idea sits within Russia’s wider push to strengthen Eurasian transport connectivity. It complements existing initiatives such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which already aims to improve multimodal links between Russia, Iran and India.
However, the newly floated concept envisions a more direct rail option spanning a larger number of countries.
The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a 7,200-kilometer multi-modal network of ship, rail, and road routes established on September 12, 2000, by founding members India, Russia, and Iran to streamline trade logistics.
Connecting the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf through Iranian ports and the Caspian Sea directly to Russia and Northern Europe, the corridor serves as a shorter, highly strategic alternative to the traditional Suez Canal route.
According to findings by the Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations in India (FFFAI), utilizing this transit network can cut travel times down to 20–23 days, nearly half of traditional maritime routes while simultaneously lowering freight costs by up to 30%.
Major Hurdles Remain
While the suggestion is ambitious, it remains at a very preliminary stage. Developing a continuous rail freight network across multiple nations would require substantial investment, complex cross-border coordination, agreements on transit and customs procedures, and careful assessment of security and political conditions along the route.
Geographical obstacles, infrastructure gaps and the geopolitical sensitivities of the regions involved present major hurdles.
For now, the proposal is an idea under consideration rather than a confirmed project with timelines, funding or detailed route plans.
Greater rail connectivity between Russia and India could, over the long term, support expanded bilateral trade and provide both countries with additional logistics options.
For India, improved overland links with Central Asia and Russia could eventually strengthen regional connectivity, though any practical implementation would depend on extensive diplomatic, technical and commercial groundwork.
Khusnullin’s remarks also touched on Russia’s domestic construction sector, which he said has the capacity to absorb additional investment. However, the India-oriented rail idea itself is currently limited to exploratory discussion.
The proposal highlights Moscow’s growing interest in diversifying its international transport options amid shifting global trade dynamics. Whether it progresses beyond the conceptual stage will depend on political will, infrastructure readiness and the willingness of the countries along the potential route to collaborate.
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