Russia is exploring the possibility of developing a rail link providing access to India and the Indian Ocean, against a backdrop of growing risks to traditional maritime routes. Among the options under consideration are corridors through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Moscow is considering extending rail links to India as part of efforts to develop new trade routes to Asian markets.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Husnullin stated in an interview with the TASS news agency that the idea of a rail link to the Indian Ocean “should be analysed”, particularly in light of the risks associated with maritime routes through the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz.
“A rail link to the Indian Ocean should also be considered. The risks associated with the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz may necessitate alternative routes: via Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Any option offering access to India is acceptable,” said Husnullin.
There are no plans, as yet, for a direct Russia–India train
The Russian Deputy Prime Minister’s statement does not mean that there is already an approved project for a continuous railway line or a direct train between Russia and India.
The idea is rather part of the development of a land transport network linking Russia to India via Central Asia and the Middle East.
A central element is the North–South International Transport Corridor (INSTC), initiated by Russia, India and Iran. The network, approximately 7,200 km in length, combines rail, road and sea transport.
The western route passes through Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, whilst the eastern branch crosses Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan before reaching Iran. From there, goods can continue on to India, including by sea.
Husnullin previously stated that Russia intends to develop the North–South corridor to improve access to Iran and India via Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.
Moscow is seeking alternative routes to Asia
The interest in new rail links comes as Russia seeks to expand its trade corridors to Asia and reduce its dependence on certain maritime routes.
In his statements, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister explicitly referred to both the Bosphorus, which provides access between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, and the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important maritime routes for global energy trade.
Tensions in the Gulf region have once again highlighted the vulnerability of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant proportion of global exports of oil and liquefied natural gas pass.
In this context, Moscow believes that the development of land corridors through Iran and Central Asia could provide additional options for the transport of goods between Russia and India.
However, establishing a continuous rail link involves overcoming significant obstacles, ranging from the lack of rail connections on certain sections to differences in infrastructure, capacity and interoperability between the networks.
Russia and India are also discussing rail cooperation
The statements follow a new round of economic talks between Russia and India.
On 7 August, the two countries explored cooperation across several sectors during the 12th meeting of the India–Russia Working Group on Modernisation and Industrial Cooperation, held in New Delhi.
Rail transport was also on the list of areas discussed.
The two sides explored opportunities for cooperation in the field of railway infrastructure, the Indian Vande Bharat project and signalling systems.
The discussions also covered other industrial sectors, such as drones, 3D printing, the production of the Russian SJ-100 regional aircraft and the development of aircraft engines.
For Russia, improving land links to India could transform the North–South Corridor into a more significant alternative for trade flows to Asia, particularly at times when the main maritime routes are affected by geopolitical tensions.
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