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.
š āA rail link to the Indian Ocean should also be explored. Risks related to the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz might require alternative routes.ā
š¤ļø Routes could pass through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, or PakistanĀ Ā āany options providing access to India are acceptable.ā
š®š³ India has become Russiaās secondālargest oil importer (behind China)Ā accounting for 55% of its total crude purchases last month.
š° Bilateral trade is surgingĀ both nations are aiming for $100 billion by 2030.
