London Declaration was a declaration issued by the 1949 Commonwealth Prime Ministers ' Conference on the issue of India 's continued membership in the Commonwealth of Nations after its transition to a republican constitution . It was made in London on 28 April 1949 and marked the birth of the modern Commonwealth . Drafted by the Indian statesman V. K. Krishna Menon , the declaration had two main provisions : It allowed the Commonwealth to admit and retain members that were not Dominions , so including both republics and indigenous monarchies , and it changed the name of the organisation from the British Commonwealth to the '' Commonwealth of Nations '' , reflecting the first change . The Declaration recognised King George VI as Head of the Commonwealth . Following his death , the Commonwealth leaders recognised Queen Elizabeth II in that capacity
1949 Commonwealth Prime Ministers ' Conference
1949 Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference
London Declaration