The correct answer is option 1: this membership does not affect the sovereign nature of the Indian Republic.

India being a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, despite being a Republican State, does not undermine its sovereignty. The Commonwealth is an intergovernmental organization that consists of 54 member countries, most of which were former territories of the British Empire. While the British Monarch serves as the symbolic head of the Commonwealth, each member country is an independent and sovereign state.

Option 2: this membership only shows that the British ruled over India is incorrect because the Commonwealth membership goes beyond just acknowledging the historical relationship with the British Empire. Membership in the Commonwealth is based on voluntary participation and signifies a willingness to cooperate and engage with other member countries on various issues such as trade, development, and human rights.

Option 3: members of the association are sovereign and independent is correct in describing the nature of Commonwealth membership. Each member country has its own government and exercises its sovereign rights.

Option 4: it is a symbol of the unity among the members of the association is not the primary reason for India`s membership. While the Commonwealth promotes cooperation and unity among its members, the main reason for India`s membership is to engage in dialogue and cooperation with other member countries while maintaining