What is the Difference Between Ambassador and High Commissioner?

The main difference between an ambassador and a high commissioner is that an ambassador is an envoy sent on a diplomatic mission to a foreign country, while a high commissioner is a senior diplomat in a Commonwealth nation who is in charge of a diplomatic mission between two Commonwealth countries.

Key differences between ambassadors and high commissioners include:

• Accreditation: Ambassadors are typically appointed by the head of state or government, while high commissioners are appointed by the foreign ministry.
• Diplomatic Mission: Ambassadors are responsible for representing their country in a foreign capital and maintaining diplomatic relations between their home and foreign countries. High commissioners, on the other hand, represent their country in countries that are members of the Commonwealth.
• Titles: Ambassadors carry formal letters of credence from their head of state addressed to the host country, while high commissioners do not.

In summary, an ambassador is the chief diplomat in an embassy, representing their country in a foreign capital, while a high commissioner is the chief diplomat in a high commission, representing their country in another Commonwealth nation.

Comparative Table: Ambassador vs High Commissioner

Here is a table comparing the differences between an Ambassador and a High Commissioner:

In summary, the main difference between an Ambassador and a High Commissioner is the scope of their representation. Ambassadors are the highest-ranking diplomats representing their country in non-Commonwealth nations, while High Commissioners represent their country in Commonwealth nations.