Moscow, Russia, August 9 (ANI): Russia must examine the feasibility of constructing a direct rail link to the Indian Ocean to mitigate transit risks associated with the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said in an interview with the news agency TASS.
Elaborating on potential corridors, Khusnullin noted that alternative transit routes could pass through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, emphasizing that any route offering connectivity to India would be considered viable. If realized, the proposed network would establish direct overland rail freight access between Russia and India.
“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 against the backdrop of escalating maritime disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz following armed hostilities involving the U.S., Israel and Iran.
On February 28, joint military strikes were launched against Iran, targeting key urban centers, including Tehran. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) initiated retaliatory missile and drone operations against Israeli positions and U.S. military bases across Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Consequently, Tehran announced a maritime blockade of the Strait of Hormuz against vessels affiliated with the U.S., Israel and allied nations involved in the operations against Iran. The strategic chokepoint accounts for approximately 25% of global oil trade and nearly 20% of worldwide liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments.
Beyond international logistics corridors, Khusnullin addressed Russia’s domestic economic framework, asserting that the country’s construction sector requires sustained, long-term financial backing.
He said the domestic construction industry currently has the capacity to absorb an additional 1 trillion rubles annually.
“The construction industry is already capable of handling an additional 1 trillion rubles annually. However, if such a volume is secured for the next five years, it would be possible to expand capacity and build even more,” he added. (ANI)
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