Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert Khorev has said that Russia and Pakistan are working to launch their first freight rail services connecting Moscow with Karachi and Faisalabad, while Belarus is also being considered as a potential participant in the project, a development that poses a setback to India’s efforts to establish its position as a key regional trade and connectivity hub.
The historical shift highlights the limitations of India’s connectivity ambitions with Russia. Despite close economic and strategic relations between New Delhi and Moscow, the struggle of India to establish efficient direct trade routes with Russia have faced logistical and geopolitical impediments. Meanwhile, Russia and Pakistan are now planning freight corridor that could provide Moscow with an alternative route to Pakistan and consequently to wider South Asian market.
In an interview with the Russian news agency Izvestia on August 8, the Russian ambassador said the two countries were cooperating to establish two-way freight train services along the proposed Moscow–Karachi and Moscow–Faisalabad routes.
According to Khorev, the possible participation of Belarus in the project is also being examined. He said the sides are currently finalising a freight transportation agreement and identifying companies from various countries interested in transporting their commercial goods along the proposed route.
The Russian ambassador said geopolitical tensions had caused the project to face several delays during 2025 and the early months of 2026. However, he said progress is now underway to turn the plan into reality.
Experts say that Russia-Pakistan rail connection would also strengthen Moscow-Islamabad economic engagement at a time when both sides are working on expansion of trade and transportation links.
Chronologically, Pakistan and Russia established diplomatic ties in 1948 and have worked significantly on strengthening cooperation in recent years. Specialists of Soviet era previously contributed to major Pakistani infrastructure projects. The noteworthy projects are the Karachi Steel Mills and Guddu Thermal Power Plant.
The recent development comes alongside substantial economic engagement between Pakistan and the Eurasian Economic Union. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk has said that consultations with Pakistan have already taken place over a proposed EAEU-Pakistan free trade agreement, with formal negotiations to be commenced soon.
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