When India sealed the Chabahar port deal during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden visit to Iran in May, officials in New Delhi could not have been happier. They described the agreement as a historic deal that will give India a much-needed trade access to Central Asia, bypassing its arch rival Pakistan. More importantly, the deal was considered crucial to break away from China's encirclement or its much talked about "string of pearls" strategy.

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Given its sheer importance, analysts expected that India would quickly jump the bandwagon and start the construction work for the ambitious project. However, several months after signing the deal, the port of Chabahar continues to remain a sleepy outpost. Heavy construction activities are yet to be seen near the port.

"What you're seeing is the problem with many of the Indian commitments abroad," said Sameer Patil, an analyst at Gateway House, a research organization in Mumbai. "Once a prime minister makes that commitment, the parties find it difficult to move the process forward. The Indian bureaucracy takes its sweet time."

With India not enjoying a very good reputation in the completion of international projects, many have started worrying about the fate of the Chabahar project. Especially as China is racing ahead to complete the Gwadar port project and the much talked about China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

"With China and Pakistan developing Gwadar just a few kilometers away, India cannot afford either delay or inattention to this vital port," said Shashi Tharoor, a prominent politician from India's main opposition party Congress.

China and India are currently engaged in a geopolitical race to increase influence in each other's neighborhood. China's overwhelming presence in Pakistan through several infrastructure projects has been keeping New Delhi on its toes. Beijing's port projects in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have equally made leaders in New Delhi wary.

India, on the other hand, has been making efforts to warm its relationship with China's rival nations like Vietnam and Philippines. These countries have shared a tense relationship with Beijing over the South China Sea dispute.

China's relations with India has been marked with decades of hostility over festering border issues. Beijing's military and economic support for India's main rival Pakistan have added further tension to their bilateral relationship.

TagsIndia, china, Chabahar Project Deal, India and Iran