1. Sovereign

The word 'sovereign’ implies that India is neither a dependency nor a dominion of any other nation, but an independent state2. There is no authority above it, and it is free to conduct its own affairs (both internal and external).

Though in 1949, India declared the continuation of her full membership of the Commonwealth of Nations and accepted the British Crown as the head of the Commonwealth, this extra- constitutional declaration does not affect India’s sovereignty in any manner3. Further, India’s membership of the United Nations Organisation (UNO) also in no way constitutes a limitation on her sovereignty4 .‌

Being a sovereign state, India can either acquire a foreign territory or cede a part of its territory in favour of a foreign state.