India and the commonwealth

India has been a full-fledged member of the Commonwealth of Nations for over twenty-two years now. However, India's Commonwealth membership has been frequently assailed at home-in Parliament, in the Press, and elsewhere. It has also been subjected to successive stresses and strains over the years. Thus, twice during his tenure as Prime Minister, even Jawaharlal
Nehru-the principal architect of India's Commonwealth link-tended to question the propriety of continued Indian membership. Never theless, India has stayed on in the Commonwealth to this day. Naturally, therefore, the question arises as to India's motives and calculations in the matter. Does India derive any specific benefits from her membership of the Commonwealth? And what,
if any, are the disadvantages of the Commonwealth link? From India's viewpoint, another significant question is to assess the role of the Commonwealth in the important sphere of India's relations with Commonwealth partner Pakistan. And above all, it is
necessary to analyse the character and potentialities of the Commonwealth association, with special reference to the interests and policies of its more advanced members and pioneers- Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.