Introduction
A government of any country has many officials or employees in another country with which it has diplomatic relations. In some countries, they are known ambassadors and in some, as high commissioner. Though they nay seen the same there is a subtle difference between them.
You can also find differences between articles on various topics that you need to know. Just tap on the quick link available and get to know the basic differences between them.
What is the Difference between High-Commissioner and Ambassador?
Ambassador
Ambassador is an official who holds the highest authority in a foreign country with diplomatic relations. Normally in India, the government takes the UPSC examination. Candidates with excellent results are selected for the IFS officer’s post. These officers become ambassadors if they have excellent work records for a long period.
Ambassadors deal with the country’s external affairs and foreign policies. They normally live in a specific country for a long time. They control the workflow of the embassy too.
High-Commissioner
The world was divided long ago into two types of nations. The first is the United Nation and the other one is the Commonwealth nation. The high commissioner is a head diplomat keeping relations between two commonwealth countries and he/she leads the High-Commission.
In the case of India, our country sends a diplomatic mission to another country to keep VISA rules or some new trade sign-up in check. If the country we are sending to is a commonwealth then the mission is High-Commission.
Difference between High-Commissioner and Ambassador
| High-Commissioner | Ambassador |
| The High commissioner represents a relation between two commonwealth countries. | Not just only commonwealth nations, Ambassadors keep foreign relation between two united nation also. |
| For India, High commissioners are the officials who lead an office in a foreign country which is High-Commission. | Similarly, Ambassadors lead embassies and all its operation and choices. |
| High-Commissioner involves himself with local societies more. | Ambassadors involve themselves with the societies of locals less. |
| High commissions are appointed to the countries that were used to be British colonies | Embassies are for the countries which were never any colonies of the great British rule. |
Similarities between High-Commissioner and Ambassador
- These two posts are highly respected in the Government of India. High- commissioner and Ambassadors both start their careers as IFS officers.
- Both of these officials keep diplomatic relations between their home country and the country they are currently in. This relation includes renewal and updating of current foreign policies and performing various diplomatic duties.
- Both of these officials get immunity for their actions in foreign countries. This happens due to the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations.
- The main mission of the commissioner and the ambassador is to work for peace and keep a good relationship between the two countries.
Frequently Asked Question on Difference between High-Commissioner and Ambassador
Question:
What is the work of an ambassador?
Answer:
The priority of the ambassador is to ensure the citizens staying in the foreign country is safe and secure. Other than that he or she also works with various policies and reports them back to the government.
Question:
What is the work of a Commissioner?
Answer:
High-Commissioner is someone who works in a commonwealth country. The work is similar to that of an ambassador. They perform diplomatic missions in another country.
Question:
What is the main difference between these two?
Answer:
Ambassadors are for the United Nations where is Commissioner is for a commonwealth country.