Canberra

Col Prateek Roy of the Indian Army has been awarded the prestigious Geddes Gavel Award upon completing the Defence Strategic and Studies Course at the Australian Defence College, the Indian High Commission in Canberra announced on Saturday.

The award recognises the student who demonstrates exceptional understanding of factors influencing regional relationships and decision-making, showing superior knowledge across political, diplomatic, military, cultural, and economic domains. In a post on X, the High Commission congratulated Col Roy, highlighting his excellence during the course and his achievements in comprehending complex regional and strategic issues.

The recognition comes as India and Australia continue to strengthen their defence partnership. In November, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed progress under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The talks covered trade and investment, defence and security, education and skills, research and innovation, science and technology, space, energy, and people-to-people connections. The ministers also exchanged views on Indo-Pacific developments and reaffirmed a shared commitment to a free, open, secure, and prosperous region.

Earlier, in October, during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Australia, the two countries signed key defence agreements. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles described the agreements as a “hugely significant step” in enhancing operational cooperation between Indian and Australian armed forces. He noted that the agreements enable deeper engagement and staff talks between operational commands, reflecting the growing trust and strategic alignment between the two nations’ militaries.

Col Prateek Roy’s achievement underscores the importance of professional and strategic military education in strengthening international defence ties and fostering mutual understanding among allied nations.