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Home / IAS Preparation / Ambassador vs High Commissioner

Difference Between Ambassador and High Commissioner - A Comparative Analysis

Last Updated on Nov 30, 2022
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A High Commission is simply described as an embassy of one Commonwealth country to another Commonwealth country; for these Commonwealth countries, a High Commissioner is appointed by the Government of India who heads the Indian High Commission in that country. Whereas in other countries the representative of the Government of India is known as an Ambassador. Both of them are high-ranked representatives of India with special executive positions and who are responsible for the execution of India’s foreign policy in different nations.

Here through this article, we will take a comprehensive view of the “Difference Between Ambassador and High Commissioner” considering its relevance to the UPSC IAS Exam (GS Paper II & III).

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Difference Between Ambassador and High Commissioner

The work of both Ambassadors and High Commissioners is the same, the difference is in name, that’s it. Apart from embassies and High Commissions, there are also consulates, regional offices are also maintained by India in the host country as per requirement.

राजदूत और उच्चायुक्त के बीच अंतर – यूपीएससी के लिए यहां एक तुलनात्मक विश्लेषण पाइए!

Who is an Ambassador in India?

An ambassador is India’s highest-ranked diplomat or representative to a specific nation or international organisation (like United Nation, UN Security Council, & More) abroad.

An effective ambassador is a strong representative of the country who represents India in various fields abroad. He/She is a good manager, a flexible negotiator and a respected representative of the country.

A major role of an ambassador is to coordinate the activities of not only the Indian Foreign Services (IFS) and its staff, but also representatives of other Indian agencies in different countries.

Who is a High Commissioner in India?

In the case of Commonwealth countries, the Diplomatic mission sent is known as the High commission headed by the high commissioner. Similarly, the high commissions are set up in the capital city of that country.

In 1919, the High Commissioner of India was created to handle these political & administrative works for British India. In which, among other responsibilities also added, the duties of the High Commissioner included making major purchases for British India and looking after Indians and Indian students in Britain, etc.

When India became independent in 1947, the High Commissioner began acting as India’s representative to the United Kingdom and performed all duties as an ambassador.

However, the nomenclature ‘High Commissioner for India’ continued for a long time even after India gained independence. Recently its name was changed to ‘High Commissioner of India’ (in the United Kingdom).

Note; The capital of India, New Delhi hosts 150 embassies/High commissions and 18 other representations in India.

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Difference Between Ambassador and High Commissioner
Ambassador High Commissioner
In addition to the Commonwealth Nations (which is not a part of the Commonwealth), the representative of the Government of India in other nations is known as an Ambassador. For example, the representative of India in China, Japan, US, & more countries. High Commissioner is the term used for representatives of the Commonwealth of Nations (Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent countries). That’s why they use the word High Commissioner to address each other. For example, the representative of the Government of India in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand, UK etc. is known as High Commissioner.
An Ambassador is the chief diplomat in an embassy. A High Commissioner is the chief diplomat in a high commission.
The head of the Indian diplomatic mission in China is called the Indian Ambassador for China. The head of the Indian diplomatic mission in Britain is called Indian High Commissioner for Britain.
Ambassadors not only promote good diplomatic and friendly relations between countries but also work for the peace of the countries by stopping illegal activities like terrorism, human trafficking, exploitation of the environment, illegal trade of endemic flora and fauna, drug trade & more illegal activities across the borders. A High Commissioner has also been placed in charge after the end of colonialism, as in the case of the former Crown Colony of Seychelles, where the last governor became High Commissioner in 1975.

Conclusion

The functions that these two people perform are the same; There is no difference in this. If you look at both, then both are also of the same rank. Britain’s diplomatic missions are called either “High commissions” or “Embassies” in different parts of the world.

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Difference Between Ambassador and High Commissioner FAQs

In the non-Commonwealth of Nations, a high commissioner's primary duty is to maintain diplomatic relations with the receiving state and to promote foreign policy strategies through domestic & international organisations rules & laws.

In the Commonwealth of Nations, a high commissioner's primary duty is to maintain diplomatic relations with the receiving state and to promote foreign policy strategies through domestic & international organisations rules & laws.

A High Commissioner is a senior representative sent by a Commonwealth country to another Commonwealth country to act as an ambassador.

The President of India approves the appointments of High Commissioners and Ambassadors based on the recommendations of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of External Affairs.

Both high commissioners and ambassadors are senior representatives who act as ambassadors. However, High Commissioners are appointed only for Commonwealth countries.
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