Kathmandu, Feb. 21 -- Amidst the pandemic, Covid-19 vaccines have become a means for countries to exert influence over others. This has seen global powers flex their manufacturing prowess to reap geopolitical gains.

As a landlocked country perched between China and India, the world's two most populous countries and the largest global vaccine manufacturers, Nepal has benefited from them. Attempts by both Beijing and Delhi to distribute vaccines to Nepal signify the Himalayan state's growing strategic value to both.

India made the first move. In January, New Delhi pledged to inoculate Nepal's frontline workers before any other country, and promptly dispatched one million doses of the Covishield vaccine manufactured by its Serum Institute ...