The outcome of these elections will decide the future course of Nepal as a country. Will mainstream parties make it to the hustings or the Maoists will emerge winners? The outcome will also affect Nepal's relations with India, China and even Pakistan. Maoists will like to lean towards China and Pakistan; jeopardising India's security concerns. With many new road links (and a rail link too, in distant future) with China coming up in the next four-five years, Nepali socio-political scenario will certainly be restive. Nepal no longer remains a land-locked country with access to outside world through India only. I shudder to think if the Chinese get a free access to Nepalese market, economy and society. Mandarins in North Block should brace themselves up and formulate new strategic relations with Nepal before China outmanoeuvres us. Hope something is on the anvil.
