The Commonwealth is made up of 56 member countries, spanning Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific Image: PA Wire/empics/picture allianceĪmitabh Mattoo, a renowned international relations expert based in Delhi, believes that although the Commonwealth may seem like an "outdated antediluvian forum" after the death of the queen, "it retains a niche relevance which has sustained it over time even after the decolonization of the British Empire." Supporters of the organization say holding this grouping together are shared traditions, institutions, and experiences, as well as economic self-interest.īut critics argue the Commonwealth has lost its sense of purpose and there are questions hanging over its future. What is the Commonwealth's relevance in today's world? The last two countries to join the grouping were Gabon and Togo in 2022. It contains both advanced economies and developing countries.ĭespite its ties to the British Empire, any country can join the modern Commonwealth. The grouping is home to over 2.5 billion people - about a third of the world's population - the bulk of whom live in the Indian subcontinent. The other five - Brunei Darussalam, Lesotho, Malaysia, Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) and Tonga - have their own monarchs. So, of the remaining 41 member states of the Commonwealth, 36 are republics, including nations such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It includes 15 realms, including nations like the UK, Canada and Australia, where the British monarch remains head of state.īut membership to the club was not contingent on recognizing the British monarch as the head of state. After the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II, her eldest son Charles became not only king of the United Kingdom but also the head of the Commonwealth of Nations, a voluntary association made up of 56 member countries - most former British colonies - spanning Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific.
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