Afghanistan could become a strategically important link in a proposed railway corridor connecting Russia to the Indian Ocean, as Moscow explores alternative trade routes to reduce dependence on vulnerable maritime chokepoints.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said a rail route through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan should be explored, with access to India among the possible objectives.
“Risks related to the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz might require alternative routes,” Khusnullin told TASS, stressing that any viable route providing access to India could be considered.
The proposal highlights Afghanistan’s geographic importance as a land bridge between Central Asia, Iran, Pakistan and the Indian Ocean, potentially positioning the country at the heart of a major future Eurasian trade corridor.
The initiative comes amid heightened risks surrounding shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring Moscow’s interest in developing secure overland alternatives for regional and international trade.