Nepal election is crucial for India

When China's outgoing ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi, recently penned an article in The Kathmandu Post, she made it a point to take note of the upcoming parliamentary elections and hoped bilateral relations would "continue to reach new levels". Beijing's broad hint seeking continuation of robust bilateral ties regardless of who wins was unmistakable. For China has a lot at stake in the November 20 poll outcome. So does Nepal's other big neighbour, India. The two Asian giants have been locked in a high stakes battle for influence in Nepal that lies geographically sandwiched between them. Both want a 'friendly'…