Iran’s 730-Km Chabahar Rail Link: India’s New Route To Central Asia Without Pakistan

Iran has completed track laying on the Chabahar-Zahedan railway, a roughly 730-km rail link that could significantly strengthen India’s connectivity to Afghanistan, Central Asia and wider Eurasian markets. The line connects the strategic Chabahar port on Iran’s southeastern coast with Zahedan and Iran’s wider rail network. Full operations are expected after final safety checks, potentially within three to four months. The project includes 33 stations, 39 tunnels and 201 bridges. For India, the significance lies in the potential logistics chain: Indian cargo can reach Chabahar by sea, move inland by rail towards Zahedan and then connect with routes towards Afghanistan and Central Asia. The corridor therefore offers an alternative to overland access through Pakistan. The railway does not automatically create a seamless India-to-Central Asia rail corridor — but it adds a major piece to India’s wider connectivity strategy.