In 1949 India, two years after becoming independent, chose to become a republic while retaining its Commonwealth link. This marked the beginning of the modern Commonwealth. Earlier since Imperial Conference in 1926 UK and its dominions had agreed to be freely associated as members of the “British Commonwealth of Nations”, in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs, though united by common allegiance to the Crown. However, with India’s entry not only the prefix ‘British’ was removed from the Group’s name, but also under the London Declaration, the membership criteria was changed from the one based on common allegiance to the British Crown to one in which members agreed to recognise the British monarch as the head of the organisation only, rather than as their head of state.

There have been many important events in the checkered history of commonwealth, like the withdrawal of South Africa in 1961 from the Commonwealth after it was condemned for its apartheid policies. The entry of Mozambique, which has no historical ties to Britain, in the Commonwealth was another event of great significance.

The Commonwealth Secretariat, located in London, was established in 1965 to consolidate and co-ordinate the many strands of long-standing consultation and cooperation in education, law, science, economic development and other specialized fields. It is staffed by 275 people from Commonwealth countries and is financed by member governments under a system of assessed contributions.

The number of member states grew quickly between the late 1940s and the 1960s as many Asian and African countries achieved independence and decided to join the organisation as sovereign states. Since then, many small Caribbean, Indian and Pacific Ocean island countries have become members.

Members agreed that the British monarch should be “the symbol of the free association of member nations and as such Head of the Commonwealth,” regardless of whether a member country retained the British monarch as its head of state. Queen Elizabeth II is the Queen of Canada, monarch of 14 other realms among the 53 Commonwealth member countries, and Head of the Commonwealth for all. She is present at all summits, but does not attend meetings.

It should be noted that the Commonwealth has no constitution per say, but it does have formal principles. In 1991, the Harare Declaration recognised the special emphasis the Commonwealth places on values such as human rights, the democratic ethic, gender equality, sustainable development and environmental protection.

Over the years, three countries have voluntarily left the Commonwealth and rejoined. In 1961, South Africa left due to the Commonwealth’s opposition to the government’s policy of apartheid. Following the democratic elections of a new multi-racial government, South Africa was readmitted into the Commonwealth on 31 May 1994. Pakistan left in 1972 after other members recognised the new state of Bangladesh (previously part of Pakistan). It was welcomed back in 1989 when the democratically elected government applied to rejoin. Fiji Islands allowed its Commonwealth membership to lapse following a military coup and the declaration of a republic in 1987. Fiji Islands reapplied and rejoined as a member in October 1997.

A Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is held every two years to discuss world political, economic and social issues. Until 1971, all the meetings were held in London. Since this time, CHOGMs have been held in different countries, with the Head of Government of the host country presiding. Difficult issues are usually left for the Retreat, when leaders spend one or two days together in a casual setting away from the conference location. Between the CHOGM meetings, Commonwealth senior officials meet to review the implementation of decisions of the previous CHOGM and to identify issues that may be raised at the next meeting. Commonwealth finance ministers meet every year. Ministers responsible for health, education, environment, law, foreign affairs, youth and women’s affairs also meet regularly, and other ministers may meet on an occasional basis.

The Commonwealth has been criticised for being a post-colonial club. But to its members it is a voluntary association of independent states, which is in the business of promoting democracy, good government, human rights and economic development.

It has also been criticised for having little influence and no teeth. The Commonwealth in fact does not act as a bloc in international affairs and so has little influence over non-members.

However, its members are benefited in the form of developmental support and collaboration towards the achievement of international goals. Membership of the Commonwealth brings some practical benefits through the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (CFTC). This is the main way in which the Commonwealth promotes economic and social development and the alleviation of poverty. Also, the fact that members share a common heritage in many fields, including a common language, enables them to work together in an atmosphere of cooperation and understanding, strengthening even further the prestige of the Commonwealth.