RUSSIA FLOATS RAIL LINK TO INDIA A Strategic Hedge Against Hormuz Blockade
With the Strait of Hormuz choked by the US-Israeli war on Iran, Moscow is exploring a direct rail route to India bypassing maritime chokepoints entirely.
🚆 “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.”
🛤️ Routes could pass through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, or Pakistan “any options providing access to India are acceptable.”
🇮🇳 India has become Russia’s second‑largest oil importer (behind China) accounting for 55% of its total crude purchases last month.
💰 Bilateral trade is surging both nations are aiming for $100 billion by 2030.