Russia is exploring a railway route to the Indian Ocean that could serve as an alternative to shipping lanes through the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz, amid growing concerns over risks to these critical maritime corridors. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin told the news agency TASS that a rail link to the Indian Ocean should be explored, given the risks associated with the Bosphorus and Strait of Hormuz. He suggested that alternative routes could run through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, adding that any route providing access to India would be acceptable to Russia. The proposal reflects Russia’s broader interest in diversifying its trade and transport corridors to reduce dependence on maritime chokepoints that have faced heightened geopolitical risk in recent years. A land-based rail connection to India would offer an alternative pathway for goods movement between the two countries, potentially reducing exposure to disruptions linked to regional conflicts or security incidents affecting key shipping routes.