Afghanistan’s Taliban government has promised full security for a proposed railway from Russia to India. If built, the line could give Moscow direct access to the Indian Ocean.
Abdul Rahman Habib, spokesman for Afghanistan’s Ministry of Economy, told RT India that Afghanistan’s geographic position was important and the project would create substantial jobs. He said trains crossing Afghan territory would face no security shortfall.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin first proposed the route as an alternative to risks through the Strait of Hormuz and sea routes. Russia is considering possible routes through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan to connect with India.
Afghanistan is rich in natural resources but landlocked and has no seaport. Direct rail access to India and the Indian Ocean could raise Kabul’s commercial income. The Taliban took power after US troops withdrew in 2021 following 20 years of war. Moscow signed a military-cooperation agreement with the Taliban government in May.
India is Russia’s second-largest buyer of crude oil, whose tankers currently travel through the dangerous Bab el-Mandeb route, the Strait of Hormuz and conflict-prone waters off Oman. India and Russia aim to raise bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, and a secure rail link could help meet that target.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report