Moscow: Russia is exploring the possibility of creating a new railway route towards the Indian Ocean that could eventually provide another land connection to India, in a move that could reshape trade links between Russia and South Asia.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has suggested studying different railway routes that could connect Russia with the Indian Ocean. The proposal comes as Moscow looks for more reliable transport routes to Asian markets and seeks to reduce its dependence on major sea routes that can be affected by geopolitical tensions.
The idea does not mean that Russia and India have already agreed to build a direct railway. Instead, Russian officials are examining possible routes and the countries that could form part of a wider transport network.
Among the routes being considered are connections through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Such a route could eventually give Russia another way to move goods towards South Asia and the Indian Ocean without relying entirely on maritime transport.
The proposal has gained attention because of growing concerns about the security of important shipping routes. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important waterways for energy supplies and international trade. The Bosphorus is also a major passage for ships travelling between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.
Russia believes that stronger land based transport links could provide an alternative if shipping routes face disruption. A railway connection towards the Indian Ocean could also help Russian companies reach markets in South Asia more efficiently.
India is particularly important in this plan because Moscow and New Delhi already have strong economic and strategic ties. The two countries have also been working through the International North South Transport Corridor, known as INSTC, which is designed to connect Russia with India through Iran using a combination of rail, road and sea transport.
The proposed railway idea could build on these existing efforts while creating additional options for transporting goods across the region. It could eventually support the movement of energy products, machinery, metals, agricultural goods and other cargo between Russia and Asian markets.
However, building such a railway would be a major challenge. A route crossing several countries would require large investments, new infrastructure and agreements on customs, border crossings, security and railway standards. Different countries also use different railway systems, which could make the movement of trains and cargo more complicated.
The possible involvement of Afghanistan and Pakistan would add another layer of complexity. Both countries could become important transit points for a route connecting Central Asia with South Asia, but political and security conditions would have to be considered before any major railway project could move forward.
Russian experts have suggested that a railway connection reaching the Indian Ocean could take many years to develop. This means the proposal should be viewed as a long term transport strategy rather than a project that will be completed soon.
The plan is nevertheless significant because it reflects Russia's growing interest in strengthening its land connections with Asia. Moscow has increasingly focused on alternative trade routes as its traditional transport links with European markets have become more difficult because of geopolitical tensions and sanctions.
For India, a stronger rail and road connection with Russia could offer another option for trade and could strengthen the country's position in the wider Eurasian transport network.
The latest proposal therefore represents an early stage of a much larger idea. Russia is not yet announcing a direct railway from Moscow to India, but it is examining whether a network of rail routes through Central Asia and South Asia could eventually provide access to the Indian Ocean and Indian markets.
If the plan moves forward, it could become another major transport project linking Russia, Iran, Central Asia and South Asia, while giving India another potential route to strengthen trade with Russia and the wider Eurasian region.