Russia Proposes New India Trade Route, Challenging Eurasian Connectivity Dynamics
Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has proposed studying a new trade corridor to the Indian Ocean through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. This suggestion, made on August 9, has sparked discussions about its potential impact on existing Eurasian connectivity architectures, including China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). While some interpret this as a direct challenge to China's infrastructure dominance, analysis suggests it is more likely a hedge for India, aiming to diversify its trade routes rather than choosing a new patron. Much of the proposed route's infrastructure already exists, with Russia having shipped freight into Iran via Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan since 2014. However, significant challenges remain, including differing rail gauges between countries (Russia's broad, Iran's standard, India's broader still) and the absence of a continuous rail link. Pakistan's internal issues, such as closed borders with Afghanistan and India, further complicate its role as a potenti... 
