Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has proposed a new railway route to the Indian Ocean, aiming to bypass strategically sensitive maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Bosphorus. The proposed route would pass through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, providing an alternative to these potentially vulnerable points. This move comes amid sustained pressure on Russia's energy infrastructure due to the Ukraine conflict and repeated drone attacks on oil refineries, causing fuel shortages in the country. Additionally, disruptions to global shipping and energy markets due to the US-Iran war have highlighted the need for alternative trade routes. If implemented, this railway link could serve multiple purposes, including providing an alternative route for commercial goods, reducing exposure to maritime chokepoints, and potentially making trade with Asian markets more resilient in the face of sanctions and shipping disruptions. The proposal reflects a larger Russian push to diversify transport routes rather than rely heavily on maritime corridors that can be affected by wars, sanctions, or geopolitical disputes. The proposed railway corridor is being considered against the backdrop of increasing pressure from the Donald Trump administration and the West, who have approved legislation to impose tougher penalties on Russia and its petroleum product buyers, including major buyers such as India and China.