State sovereignty affects international relations by determining how states interact with each other and respond to global challenges. Sovereignty grants states the authority to govern themselves without external interference, shaping their foreign policy decisions. While it enables nations to assert their interests, it also complicates international cooperation on issues like climate change, human rights, and security. When national interests clash, states may exhibit reluctance to engage in multilateral agreements, hindering collective action. As globalization increases, the balance between state sovereignty and international collaboration remains a key tension in global politics.