Moscow considers expanded North-South connectivity through Central and South Asia to strengthen access to India
Location: Moscow, Russia
By International Desk
Russia is looking to strengthen its overland connectivity toward the Indian Ocean as Moscow seeks alternatives to vulnerable maritime routes, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has said.
The proposal is linked to the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal network intended to connect Russia with Iran, India and other parts of Asia. Khusnullin has previously described reaching the Indian Ocean through the Caspian Sea and Iran as a strategic transport objective, including through both road and railway infrastructure.
The wider network could involve routes through Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran, while Russia has also discussed improving connectivity toward Afghanistan and Pakistan through its eastern transport links. At KazanForum, Khusnullin outlined plans connecting Russia's railway network with Central Asian routes and extending toward Afghanistan and Pakistan.
For Moscow, the objective is not simply to create another trade route. Alternative land connectivity could reduce Russia's dependence on maritime passages such as the Bosphorus and Strait of Hormuz, both of which are exposed to geopolitical tensions and disruptions.
The INSTC already envisages connecting Russia to India through Iran, with the corridor combining rail, road and maritime transportation. Its western branch includes the strategically important Rasht–Astara railway in Iran, while eastern routes can connect Russia with Central Asia.
A stronger railway network reaching the Indian Ocean would give Russia another channel for moving cargo toward India while deepening economic links with Central and South Asia.
However, the proposed network remains a complex, multi-country infrastructure project. Different railway gauges, missing links, financing requirements and political conditions across the region remain significant challenges to creating a seamless route.
For India and Russia, the development could nevertheless carry strategic importance by providing an additional connectivity option linking the two countries outside traditional maritime routes.
Edited By
Nikhil Kumar Mittal
