Moscow/New Delhi: Amid growing uncertainty over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz due to escalating tensions involving the US, Israel and Iran, Russia is reportedly exploring an alternative railway corridor to reach the Indian Ocean and South Asian markets through Central Asia and Afghanistan.
According to reports, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has suggested examining alternative transport routes in view of the risks associated with major maritime chokepoints. One proposal involves a railway connection from Russia to India through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The proposed corridor could provide Russia with an alternative route for transporting commodities such as oil, gas, fertilisers and industrial goods to South Asia, reducing its dependence on vulnerable maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bosphorus.
Potential Challenge to China’s BRI
The proposed railway corridor could have significant geopolitical implications for Eurasian connectivity. It could potentially compete with, as well as complement, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has established a strong presence across Central and South Asia.
China’s China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) connects western China with Pakistan’s Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea. A parallel Russia-backed route through Afghanistan and Pakistan could provide an alternative channel for regional trade and potentially reduce China’s influence over some Eurasian trade routes.
Russia’s focus on connectivity with India could also be significant for New Delhi. India has stayed outside the BRI, particularly because of sovereignty concerns surrounding CPEC. A Russia-backed corridor could therefore offer India another potential connectivity option linking it with Russia and Central Asia.
Possible Link With INSTC
The proposed route could also complement the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal network connecting India, Iran, Russia, Central Asia and parts of Europe.
Integration between the proposed railway network and the INSTC could create additional trade routes between Eurasia and the Indian Ocean. It could also provide opportunities for Russia and China to coordinate infrastructure investments in areas such as Iran, where both countries have strategic and economic interests.
Both Moscow and Beijing have an interest in reducing their dependence on Western-controlled maritime routes. Greater coordination between the two countries could potentially strengthen alternative trade networks and improve their resilience against sanctions and other trade restrictions.
However, whether Russia’s proposed corridor becomes a major alternative to existing routes will depend heavily on regional cooperation and security conditions.
Security and Infrastructure Challenges
The proposed railway corridor faces several major obstacles. Afghanistan’s security situation remains a significant concern for the construction and operation of a major international railway network. Political instability, militant activity and difficult security conditions could disrupt both construction and freight movement.
The route through Pakistan also presents challenges, including political instability, security concerns and tensions along its borders. For India, a railway route passing through Pakistan could raise additional strategic and security questions.
Engineering and financial challenges are another major hurdle. Much of the proposed route would pass through difficult terrain and regions with limited existing railway infrastructure. Building new rail networks across such areas would require substantial investment and long-term cooperation among several countries.
Western sanctions on Russia could further complicate financing, technology transfers and international participation in the project.
For India, the proposal could nevertheless be strategically important. New Delhi has engaged Moscow on railway cooperation, including areas such as railway modernisation and signalling systems. However, any route involving Pakistan would require careful assessment of security, sovereignty and operational risks.
The proposed corridor therefore represents more than a transport project. If implemented, it could become an important element of the evolving geopolitical competition over Eurasian connectivity, trade routes and access to the Indian Ocean. Its success, however, will depend on whether Russia can overcome the considerable security, financial, engineering and diplomatic challenges along the proposed route.
