Russia has proposed establishing a route to the Indian Ocean through Afghanistan and Pakistan
The Russian government is considering the possibility of establishing a direct rail route to the Indian Ocean through the countries of Central and South Asia.
According to a Russian official, an alternative overland route could serve as a backup in case navigation through the Black Sea and the Strait of Hormuz becomes difficult.
“A rail route to the Indian Ocean should also be considered. Given the risks in the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz, alternative routes may be needed: through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Any options for access to India are viable,” Khusnullin said.
The statement came amid growing risks to shipping in the Black Sea, which has led to higher freight rates and a reluctance among some maritime carriers to operate in the region due to the security situation.
In addition, due to the escalating situation in the Middle East, deliveries of goods to Russia via the so-called “southern route”—through the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and the Caspian Sea—have become more difficult.
According to Russian sources, this has already led to price increases for a number of goods, particularly smartphones, which are imported through parallel import schemes.
One of the key elements of the “North–South” international transport corridor remains the construction of the railway section between Astara, Azerbaijan, and Rasht, Iran. In the long term, this route is expected to provide overland access to Iranian ports on the Indian Ocean coast.
There is also an alternative route through Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran; however, its potential remains limited due to underdeveloped infrastructure.
Another challenge for the project is the difference in track gauge, as Russia and most post-Soviet countries use a different standard than Iran.
Marat Khusnullin also stated that the Russian construction industry, which is going through a difficult period due to cuts in subsidized mortgage programs and high interest rates, could receive an additional boost.
According to him, provided there are guarantees of government contracts for the next five years, the industry will be able to attract about 1 trillion rubles in additional investment each year and expand its production capacity.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin voiced this idea, explaining that it is necessary to find alternative trade routes due to risks to maritime shipping.
Russian regions are showing signs of a easing gasoline shortage after the Ukrainian military shifted its strike priorities, focusing on ships rather than large oil refineries, according to Bloomberg.
For the first time in history, Russia plans to begin importing diesel fuel due to a sharp decline in domestic production and a shortage in the domestic market.
The Russian Red Cross has begun building up additional humanitarian aid reserves for the temporarily occupied Crimea and Sevastopol following the declaration of a state of emergency on the peninsula.
On the temporarily occupied Crimean Peninsula, local residents report prolonged power outages, fuel shortages, rising prices, and problems with social infrastructure. According to them, the situation is particularly dire in the northern regions of the peninsula.
As a reminder, Ukraine has announced that it struck 19 Russian tankers carrying fuel for Crimea.
