Difference between High Commission and Embassy

496 votes

You have definitely come across the terms ‘high commission’ and ‘embassy.’ Indeed, in many cases, these two terms are either used interchangeably or are used to infer more or less similar concepts. But are they really the same. If at all they differ, do those differences really matter?
 
It is impossible to get the answers to these two questions just like that. Indeed, only an in-depth look into the two will provide a rough clue.
 

What is the High Commission?

A high commission is basically a term that is employed by the members of the British Commonwealth. It describes the diplomatic missions of Commonwealth member states that are similarly located in other Commonwealth member states.
 
By ‘Commonwealth’ we mean those countries that were once colonized by the United Kingdom.
 
They are 53 in number as of now. These countries are as large and populous as India and are small and less populated as the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
 
They form a close association that is cemented by among others, sports, diplomacy, common defense, economic unity, and military cooperation.
 

What is Embassy?

An embassy, on the other hand, is a diplomatic mission that is located outside the British Commonwealth. It may or may not belong to a member of the commonwealth. Many times, it is simply referred to as a foreign mission.
 
The mission houses the group of top diplomatic representatives of a foreign nation to another.
 
In many cases, it is permanent in nature and generally remains in force even when the holder of the position of the ambassador is recalled or passes on.
 
Its primary purpose is to present the foreign policy of a particular nation to that of another. This is besides caring for the citizens who are in those countries.
 

What are the differences between High Commission and Embassy?

The difference between high commission and embassy is basically where they are situated. Commission applies to Commonwealth member states whereas Embassy applies to the rest of the world.

1. Definition: The term “High Commission” is only applied when the sending and the receiving country both belong to the British Commonwealth. If either country is not a member of the commonwealth, the term embassy comes into play. Beyond that, there is almost no significant variation in meaning.

2. Head: Both installations are headed by an official who is generally appointed by the Head of States of their respective countries. Nonetheless, they differ in the manner in which they are called. As a general rule, the head of an embassy is called an ambassador while the head of a High Commission is called a High Commissioner.

3. Scope: Though these two institutions play more or less similar roles, the High Commissions seem to have some slight advantage with regards to the scope. As for an embassy, you have to be a citizen of that country to receive any services. The High Commission can nonetheless serve members of other countries besides those of its own, provided that their countries are also members of the Commonwealth.

4. Main Purpose: These two institutions exist primarily to foster good relations between any foreign nations. However, the High Commission serves extra purposes. It goes beyond that to even carry out the missions of its home country to the host country. This secondary purpose is largely limited though to other Commonwealth countries.

5. Location: By their definitions above, you will definitely come across an embassy just about anywhere provided that it is within the capital city of that country. A High Commission though is only found in the capital city of another Commonwealth country.

6. Countries Applicable: We have already explained that there are roughly 53 Commonwealth member states. This means that the term ‘High Commission’ is limited to only those countries. Contrast this with well over 200 other nations that do not subscribe to or belong to the Commonwealth member-states.

7. The extent of Relevance: An embassy’s role is to primarily deal with fostering good relations between its original country and the host country. That of a High Commission extends to handling business, commercial, and other interests that are outside the scope of the International Relations.

8. Common Examples: An American diplomatic mission is called the American embassy. That is because the United States is not a member of the British Commonwealth inasmuch as the host nation, India is. The Kenyan diplomatic mission in Canada, on the other hand, is called a High Commission because both subscribe to the British Commonwealth.

9. Sheer Size: These two installations differ in their sheer size. In general, an embassy is large as it serves as the headquarters of a vast network of other diplomatic posts within the host nation, called consulates. The High Commission for a large part is a single installation where all activities are carried out.

10. International Recognition: Though High Commissions are at par with and serve roughly the same purposes as the embassies, they are not as far widely accepted and recognized as the embassies. This is partly attributable to the fact that they are largely applicable within the Commonwealth member-states.

LawRato LawRato

947 votes

Embassies are diplomatic missions sent to non-Commonwealth countries. High Commissions are diplomatic missions sent to Commonwealth countries. ... As well as referring to diplomatic missions themselves, the terms “Embassy” and “High Commission” refer to the buildings in which those missions are based.

Advocate Anupam Kumar Mishra LawRato

274 votes

The terms "High Commission" and "Embassy" refer to diplomatic missions, but they are not interchangeable. Here are the key differences between them:

1. Jurisdiction:
   • Embassy: An embassy is typically established when one country recognizes the sovereignty of another. It represents the sending country's interests in the host country and handles diplomatic relations. Embassies are established between sovereign states.
   • High Commission: A high commission is a diplomatic mission established between countries that share a historical or Commonwealth connection. It is used in countries that are part of the Commonwealth of Nations. High commissions represent Commonwealth countries in each other's territories.
2. Leadership:
   • Embassy: An embassy is headed by an ambassador, who is the highest-ranking diplomat of the sending country in the host country. The ambassador represents the head of state of the sending country.
   • High Commission: A high commission is led by a high commissioner, who has a similar role to an ambassador. The high commissioner represents the head of state of the sending Commonwealth country in the host Commonwealth country.
3. Countries Involved:
   • Embassy: Embassies are established between two sovereign countries, irrespective of historical ties.
   • High Commission: High commissions are established between Commonwealth countries that share historical, political, or cultural connections.
4. Use of the Term:
   • Embassy: The term "embassy" is used when referring to diplomatic missions between non-Commonwealth countries.
   • High Commission: The term "high commission" is used when referring to diplomatic missions between Commonwealth countries.
5. Protocol and Etiquette:
   • Embassy: Embassies follow international diplomatic protocol and etiquette.
   • High Commission: High commissions also adhere to international diplomatic protocol, but they may incorporate elements of Commonwealth diplomatic traditions.

In summary, the primary distinction lies in the historical and Commonwealth connections between countries. Embassies are diplomatic missions between sovereign states, while high commissions are diplomatic missions used by Commonwealth countries to represent each other in their territories. The leadership and functions of ambassadors and high commissioners are similar, but they serve different diplomatic contexts

Advocate Chikirsha Mohanty LawRato