High Commission vs Embassy
The difference between High Commission and Embassy is easy to understand, if you understand the difference between Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth countries. Commonwealth countries are the countries that were once the territories of British Empire and are now independent states. Said that, now let us see what a High Commission and an Embassy mean. High Commission and Embassy are both diplomatic missions representing their country in another country. Though everyone knows this fact, the difference between them has always been confusing for many until they find out what each term is about. An Embassy is a diplomatic mission of a country sent to a non-Commonwealth country whereas a high commission is a diplomatic mission of a Commonwealth country sent to another Commonwealth country. On the other hand, an Embassy also denotes the building where the diplomats work or live.
What is an Embassy?
As said earlier, an Embassy is a diplomatic mission in a non-Commonwealth country. Embassy also refers to the building where diplomats work or live. In other words, an embassy is the official residence or offices of an ambassador.
As like the High Commissioner for a High Commission, the person associated with an Embassy is called the Ambassador. In other words, an ambassador is a person who heads the embassy. An Embassy is, in fact, the official representation of particular country in the capital. Consular officers, economic officers, and political officers are the three types of staff in an Embassy. An Embassy has a very important role to play in strengthening the foreign relations between two countries. An Embassy looks into matters relating to visa and travel issues. Though there were differences in the functions of a High Commission and an Embassy in the earlier times, now they have ceased to exist. However, since Commonwealth countries have a special relationship among them, sometimes, an Embassy of a Commonwealth country serve the diplomatic needs of the citizens from another Commonwealth country that was not represented in that country.
Embassy of Jamaica in Washington D.C
What is a High Commission?
A High Commission is a diplomatic mission of one Commonwealth country to another. We can say that a high commission is another word for an embassy of a Commonwealth country to another Commonwealth country.
In short, it can be said that it is a diplomatic representation between Commonwealth countries. So, India is a Commonwealth country. The Indian embassy in Britain (another Commonwealth country) is known as the Indian High Commission. However, the Indian Embassy in America, which is not a Commonwealth country, is known as Indian Embassy.
When it comes to responsibilities, High Commission is entrusted with the responsibility of carrying the mission of one Commonwealth country to another. High Commission deals with matters relating to the management of diplomatic relations with other countries.
The person associated with High Commission is called a High Commissioner. A high commissioner is a person who holds high ranking positions including executive positions approved by the commission of appointment. In other words, High commissioner is the head of the High Commission. Also, on the contrary to an embassy, some High Commissions have two primary officers called the Governor and the Governor-General.
What is the difference between High Commission and Embassy?
• Embassy is a diplomatic mission of a country to another country. On the other hand, a High Commission is an embassy of one Commonwealth country to another Commonwealth country.
• Embassy is also a building where diplomats work or live.
• There is difference between the persons associated with High Commission and Embassy too. The person associated with High Commission is called a High Commissioner while the person associated with an Embassy is called the Ambassador.
• A high commissioner is a person who holds high ranking positions including executive positions approved by the commission of appointment whereas ambassador is a person who heads the embassy.
• On the contrary to an embassy, some High Commissions have two primary officers called Governor and the Governor-General.
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