Russia plans rail route to India to cut Strait of Hormuz risk: What we know
2 min readAug 9, 2026 09:36 PM IST
Russia to India by train: Russia is exploring the possibility of developing a railway route to the Indian Ocean, with potential connectivity to India. In an interview with Russian news agency TASS, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said a rail link to the Indian Ocean should be explored to reduce risks linked to key waterways such as the Bosphorus and Strait of Hormuz.
He said alternative routes could pass through countries including Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. According to Khusnullin, any route that can provide access to India could be considered.
The Deputy Prime Minister also said that Russia’s construction industry currently needs long-term financing to support its growth and development.
“The construction industry is already capable of handling an additional one trillion rubles annually. However, if such a volume is secured for the next five years, it would be possible to expand capacity and build even more,” he told TASS.
The move comes amid the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran, which has raised concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. “Roughly 25% of global oil trade and about 20% of LNG shipments transit through the Strait of Hormuz,” TASS reported.
On August 7, India and Russia reviewed their cooperation in key sectors during the 12th Session of the India-Russia Working Group on Modernization and Industrial Cooperation, held in New Delhi.
The meeting, held under the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation, focused on progress in areas including modernization, mining, fertilizers and railway transport.
Story continues below this ad
Both sides welcomed new areas of cooperation in railway transport, including railway infrastructure, the Vande Bharat train project and signalling equipment. The two countries also discussed cooperation in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAVs), 3D printing, production of Russia’s SJ-100 regional aircraft and aero-engines.
Stay updated with the latest – Click here to follow us on Instagram
