Diplomatic Mission, or otherwise called as a foreign mission, is a group of individuals, that represent their country in a foreign country officially. Apart from representing the state, it protects the citizens in the foreign country, negotiate with the host country on different matters, and foster friendly relations. It includes embassies or high commission and consulates. An Embassy is termed as a foreign mission of a country, represented by diplomats in another country.
On the contrary, High Commission can be understood as the embassy of a Commonwealth country in another Commonwealth country. While talking about international relations, the terms embassy and high commission are commonly referred. So, it is important to know the difference between them.
Content: Embassy Vs High Commission
Comparison Chart
| Basis for Comparison | Embassy | High Commission |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Embassy refers to a foreign mission represented by government officials of a country in another country. | High commission are the diplomatic missions between Commonwealth countries. |
| Chief officer | Ambassador | High commissioner |
| Role | Maintain healthy relations between the two countries. | Undertake the mission of one Commonwealth state in another. |
| Example | United States diplomatic mission in India is called Embassy. | British diplomatic mission in India is called High Commission. |
Definition of Embassy
An Embassy is nothing but the supreme conciliatory office of one country, located in the capital city of another country. The highest-ranking official is the ambassador. The embassy premises and all the diplomatic officials come under the dominion of the home country as well as the host country gives them protection under the concept of diplomatic immunity.
Embassies are set up in the host country to build and maintain a harmonious relationship between the host country and the country, which the embassy represents. So, it acts as a link for communication between the two countries. Moreover, it also safeguards the rights and interest of the citizens of the country it represents.
Definition of High Commission
The term High Commission is used to refer a diplomatic mission of a country, which is a part of Commonwealth of Nations. The Commonwealth of Nations implies the group of 53 countries which were part of the British Empire in the past.
The functions, rights, roles and responsibilities of a High Commission are similar to an embassy. It is headed by a High Commissioner who is the top ranking diplomat of the foreign mission.
Key Differences Between Embassy and High Commission
The points given below explain the difference between embassy and high commission:
- Embassy implies the official headquarters of one country in another country, represented by various government officials of the sending country, wherein both the home country and host country are Non-commonwealth countries. However, if both the home country and host country are Commonwealth countries, then the embassy will be called as a High Commission.
- The embassy is headed by Ambassador, whereas High Commissioner is the officer in charge of the High Commission.
- The primary objective of an embassy is to maintain good relations with the host country and the country so represented by the embassy. On the other hand, High Commission aims at undertaking the mission of one Commonwealth state in the another.
- Russian diplomatic mission in India is called as a Russian Embassy, while British diplomatic mission in Srilanka is called British High Commission.
Conclusion
By and Large, the duties and responsibilities of an Embassy and High Commission are similar in one another. The only difference between the two is that the diplomatic mission is called as high commission if the sending and receiving countries both are the member of Commonwealth of nations. Otherwise, the mission would be termed as an Embassy.
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