Russia should explore the feasibility of building a direct railway connection to the Indian Ocean to reduce transit risks associated with the Bosphorus and Strait of Hormuz, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said in an interview with news agency TASS.
Khusnullin said potential alternative routes could pass through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. He added that any corridor providing connectivity to India could be considered a viable option.
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If developed, the proposed network would create a direct overland rail freight connection between Russia and India, potentially offering an alternative route for trade between the two countries while reducing dependence on key maritime chokepoints.
"A rail link to the Indian Ocean should also be explored. Risks related to the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz might require alternative routes: through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Any options providing access to India are acceptable," Khusnullin was quoted as saying by TASS.
The proposal for alternative trade routes comes amid growing disruptions to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz following escalating hostilities involving the US, Israel and Iran.
On February 28, joint military strikes were launched against Iran, targeting key urban centres, including Tehran. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded with missile and drone attacks against Israeli positions and US military bases across Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Following the escalation, Tehran announced a maritime blockade of the Strait of Hormuz targeting vessels linked to the US, Israel and allied countries involved in military operations against Iran.
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The strategic chokepoint handles around 25% of global oil trade and nearly 20% of worldwide liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments.
Beyond alternative international trade corridors, Khusnullin also spoke about Russia's domestic economic outlook, stressing the need for sustained, long-term financing for the country's construction sector.
He said Russia's domestic construction industry currently has the capacity to absorb an additional one trillion rubles in funding each year.
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