Now Reading: Russia pitches direct rail link to India via Iran, Pakistan
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Russia pitches direct rail link to India via Iran, Pakistan
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has called for a feasibility study on a direct rail link from Russia to India via Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The proposed overland freight corridor…
The Story in Brief
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has called for a feasibility study on a direct rail link from Russia to India via Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The proposed overland freight corridor would reduce dependence on the Bosphorus and Strait of Hormuz, which face disruptions after US, Israel strikes on Iran and a subsequent Iranian blockade of Hormuz. The strait handles about 20% of global oil trade. Khusnullin said any route providing access to India is viable. The proposal remains at an exploratory stage and faces major geopolitical and security hurdles.
The Indian Opinion
Talk of a Russia, India rail corridor sounds grand, but the route through Afghanistan and Pakistan is a diplomatic and security minefield. One-sided narratives that celebrate new connectivity ignore the ground reality: the Taliban governs Kabul, India, Pakistan ties are frozen, and the Strait of Hormuz disruption may ease before a single track is laid. Watch for the next round of feasibility studies. If they mention firm financing, the proposal is real. If not, it is signalling, not strategy.
Sources (2): timesofindia.indiatimes.com, livemint.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
