Commonwealth of Nations

Commonwealth

The Commonwealth of Nations is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty four independent member states all of which were formally part of the British Empire. Its head is Queen Elizabeth II and its current Secretary General is Kamalesh Sharma, an Indian diplomat. The Commonwealth’s goals are to promote democracy, good government, human rights and economic development. Unlike the United Nations, Commonwealth members have no contractual obligations, but members commit themselves to the statements of beliefs set out by heads of government. The Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (CFTC) promotes economic and social development and the alleviation of poverty

India is the largest member state of the Commonwealth. It was important in the formation of the modern Commonwealth in 1949. It is the fourth largest contributor to Commonwealth budgets and is a member of key Commonwealth bodies. It is set to host the Commonwealth games in 2010. India threatened to leave the Commonwealth in 1956, due to Britain’s involvement in the 1956 Suez war with Egypt, which is India’s ally.

In 1995, the Commonwealth set up a Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) which comprises of eight ministers, whose function is to deal with governments which persistently violate Commonwealth principles. It can take collective measures such as imposing economic sanctions or suspending recalcitrant members. Pakistan was suspended twice from the Commonwealth during Pervez Musharaff’s military rule. In 1995 Nigeria's membership was suspended after the military regime passed a death sentence on the writer Ken Saro-Wiwa and other activists. Zimbabwe was suspended in March 2002, after elections which were marred by violence and intimidation.

The Commonwealth has been criticized for having little influence in international affairs; however its influence over its own members has many benefits for development and cooperation on international goals.