India and Commonwealth: Examining the Debates on Contemporary Relevance and Continued Membership

India’s continued membership in the Commonwealth has led to an emergence o f two opposing perceptions. The first group perceives it as a relevant organisation, and India should continue its membership to pursue its varied interests. The second group relegates it as a relic o f the colonial past and strongly advocates for exiting the organisation. Given this context, this paper aims to examine the major arguments put forth by both camps, and the following research questions will be looked into: What prompted India to join the Commonwealth soon upon its independence, and what were its underlying motivations? How did India engage with the Commonwealth over the years, and what are its contributions to the organisation? And, what are the arguments put forth by both groups? In conclusion, a qualitative analysis o f the arguments made by both camps is done, considering India’s contemporary milieu o f international issues and prospects.