RUSSIA FLOATS RAIL LINK TO INDIAĀ Ā 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 IndiaĀ Ā 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 PakistanĀ Ā “any options providing access to India are acceptable.”
🇮🇳 India has become Russia’s secondālargest oil importer (behind China)Ā accounting for 55% of its total crude purchases last month.
💰 Bilateral trade is surgingĀ both nations are aiming for $100 billion by 2030.