History of Friendship series -1
Suresh Kumar Lau
University of Delhi
University of Delhi
09818363888
The Commonwealth is a unique family of 53 members which promotes respect, encourages trust and works towards economic prosperity for its members. It’s 2 billions people account for 30 per cent of the world’s population and are many languages, races, faith, traditions and cultures. At one time it was said that “The sun never sets on the British Empire”. There was a good reason for the expression, for Britain once governed one of the largest empires the world had ever known. That Empire no longer exists. Of the many lands that once made up, the old empire, most are now independent sovereign states that belong to an organization called Commonwealth of Nations. It is an association of independent countries and other political units that have lived under British law and government.
The Commonwealth evolved from United Kingdom’s imperial past, through decolonization, two world wars and change in international relations. In 1867, Canada was the first colony to get self-governing “Dominion” status, which implies equality with the UK. In 1884, British politician Lord Rosebery described the changing empire as a “Commonwealth of Nations”. Australia joined in 1900 and New Zealand (1907), South Africa (1910) and the Irish Free States (1921) followed. At the 1926 Imperial conference, the attending prime ministers adopted the Balfour Report defining Dominions as autonomous communities within the British Empire, equal in status, united by common allegiance to the crown and associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations.
World War-II changed the British Commonwealth’s nature. It became a multiracial association after India and Pakistan achieved independence. With India’s wish to become a republic and still remain in Commonwealth membership had to be rethought.
The modern Commonwealth was born in 1949. With the London Declaration of 1949, Commonwealth prime ministers welcomed India as Commonwealth’s first republican member. The word “British” was dropped to reflect Commonwealth’s new reality. The Commonwealth’s opposition to apartheid led to South Africa’s withdrawal in 1961. (In 1994 after the end of apartheid it rejoined the association). In 1972 Pakistan left the Commonwealth when other Commonwealth members recognised the independence of Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan). Bangladesh was admitted as a member and Pakistan rejoined in 1989. From a club of former colonies, the Commonwealth of Nations has grown into contemporary international association in tune with times without losing its history of friendship. In 1970, Queen Elizabeth II wrote about the Commonwealth as “… rather a special family, a family of nations …”.
The Commonwealth evolved from United Kingdom’s imperial past, through decolonization, two world wars and change in international relations. In 1867, Canada was the first colony to get self-governing “Dominion” status, which implies equality with the UK. In 1884, British politician Lord Rosebery described the changing empire as a “Commonwealth of Nations”. Australia joined in 1900 and New Zealand (1907), South Africa (1910) and the Irish Free States (1921) followed. At the 1926 Imperial conference, the attending prime ministers adopted the Balfour Report defining Dominions as autonomous communities within the British Empire, equal in status, united by common allegiance to the crown and associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations.
World War-II changed the British Commonwealth’s nature. It became a multiracial association after India and Pakistan achieved independence. With India’s wish to become a republic and still remain in Commonwealth membership had to be rethought.
The modern Commonwealth was born in 1949. With the London Declaration of 1949, Commonwealth prime ministers welcomed India as Commonwealth’s first republican member. The word “British” was dropped to reflect Commonwealth’s new reality. The Commonwealth’s opposition to apartheid led to South Africa’s withdrawal in 1961. (In 1994 after the end of apartheid it rejoined the association). In 1972 Pakistan left the Commonwealth when other Commonwealth members recognised the independence of Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan). Bangladesh was admitted as a member and Pakistan rejoined in 1989. From a club of former colonies, the Commonwealth of Nations has grown into contemporary international association in tune with times without losing its history of friendship. In 1970, Queen Elizabeth II wrote about the Commonwealth as “… rather a special family, a family of nations …”.
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