Russia explores rail link to India to bypass maritime chokepoints

Synopsis

Russia is exploring a rail link to India through Central Asia and Iran as an alternative to maritime routes vulnerable to disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz and Bosphorus. The proposal comes amid expanding India-Russia energy and bilateral trade ties.

Russia is exploring an ambitious plan to build a rail link to India as a hedge against risks associated with the Strait of Hormuz and the Bosphorus.

Russian deputy prime minister Marat Khusnullin recently told state-run news agency TASS that Russia needs to explore a rail link to the Indian Ocean to reduce risks from disruptions at key maritime chokepoints.

Russia is willing to explore any options that provide access to India, he said.

“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,” Khusnullin said.

The Bosphorus, a narrow strait connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, is controlled by Turkey. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea, disrupting trade.

The US-Iran conflict has also largely blocked the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s energy passed in the past.

Khusnullin said routes could be explored through Turkmenistan, Iran and Afghanistan. The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), connecting Mumbai with St Petersburg via Iran, has not yet been fully utilised because of the regional situation. Chabahar Port, India’s gateway to Afghanistan, Central Asia and eastern Russia, also remains underutilised due to the conflict. India, however, remains committed to both projects and has future plans to link the INSTC with Chabahar Port.

India has become the second-largest importer of Russian oil, behind China, as it seeks to secure energy supplies amid tensions in West Asia. India’s crude imports from Russia surged to a record high last month, accounting for 55% of its total crude oil purchases. Bilateral trade has also surged, with Russia emerging as a key source of coal, coking coal, fertilisers and sunflower oil.

The Indian government and Rosatom will sign a memorandum of understanding for the use of the Northern Sea Route, also known as the Arctic route. The Vladivostok-Chennai route has also contributed to growing trade between India and Russia.