Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has floated the idea of creating a railway route to the Indian Ocean as Moscow looks for alternatives to strategically sensitive maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Bosphorus amid disruption to global shipping and energy markets due to the US-Iran war.
“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: through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Any options providing access to India are acceptable,” Khusnullin told TASS news agency on Thursday.
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RUSSIA‘S FUEL CRISIS
Moscow’s interest in alternative trade routes comes as Russia’s energy infrastructure faces sustained pressure during the Ukraine conflict. Ukrainian drone attacks have repeatedly targeted Russian oil refineries, disrupting processing capacity and contributing to fuel shortages in the country.
News agency Reuters reported in July that Russian energy companies, including Rosneft, Gazprom Neft and Lukoil, had approached Indian refiners seeking additional petrol supplies after Ukrainian attacks knocked out a significant portion of Russia’s refining capacity. At the time, nearly 40 per cent of Russia’s refining capacity was expected to remain offline for at least two months if attacks continued, according to Reuters.
The pressure on Russia’s fuel system has continued. Reuters reported that Russian seaborne oil product exports fell by about one-third in July as reduced fuel production following Ukrainian attacks was compounded by Russian export restrictions. Moscow extended a temporary ban on diesel exports through the end of August to protect domestic supplies.
HORMUZ DISRUPTION ADDS URGENCY
Against this backdrop, growing disruptions around the Hormuz have strengthened the case for alternative overland routes linking Russia with Asian markets. The strait connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is a crucial route for global energy supplies. Disruptions to shipping through the strait have raised concerns over oil and gas supplies, freight costs and energy security.
The conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran has further exposed the vulnerability of maritime trade routes. Iranian authorities have restricted access to the strait for vessels linked to the US, Israel and its allies.
The Bosphorus presents another strategic vulnerability for Russia. The Turkish-controlled waterway connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara and is a critical passage for Russian exports and other regional trade. Khusnullin’s proposal therefore reflects a larger Russian push to diversify transport routes rather than rely heavily on maritime corridors that can be affected by wars, sanctions or geopolitical disputes.
US MOVES TO PENALISE RUSSIAN OIL BUYERS
The proposed railway corridor is being considered against the backdrop of increasing pressure from the Donald Trump administration and the West. The US Senate has approved legislation to impose tougher penalties on Russia and countries that purchase its petroleum products, including major buyers such as India and China. The measure, renamed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, passed with an 86-11 vote.
For Moscow, expanding overland connectivity could therefore serve more than one purpose. It could provide an alternative route for commercial goods, reduce exposure to maritime chokepoints and potentially make trade with Asian markets more resilient in the face of sanctions and shipping disruptions.
– Ends
With inputs from PTI
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
