India, Aug. 9 -- Russia has proposed exploring a railway route that could eventually connect the country to the Indian Ocean and provide access to India, as Moscow looks for alternative trade routes amid disruptions to key maritime chokepoints.

Speaking to TASS, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said Moscow should consider developing a rail link to the Indian Ocean to reduce risks associated with the Bosphorus and Strait of Hormuz.

"A rail link to the Indian Ocean should also be explored. Risks related to the Bosphorus and the Strait of Hormuz might require alternative routes: through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Any options providing access to India are acceptable," he told the news agency.

However, the ...