What factors contribute to shaping a nation's foreign policy?

A balance of domestic and external factors

The foreign policy of a nation is shaped by the intricate interplay of internal and external dynamics. Thus, the lofty ideals that propelled India's struggle for independence significantly influenced the formulation of its foreign policy. However, India's achievement of sovereignty unfolded concurrently with the onset of the Cold War epoch. This era was characterized by global-level political, economic, and military confrontations between the two dominant blocs led by the superpowers, namely the United States and the USSR.

During this same timeframe, notable occurrences transpired, including the establishment of the United Nations (UN), the development of nuclear weaponry, the rise of Communist China, and the initiation of decolonization efforts. Consequently, India's leadership was compelled to navigate its national interests within the intricate framework of the prevalent international landscape.