Canberra, Australia — Col Prateek Roy of the Indian Army was presented the Geddes Gavel Award on completion of the Defence Strategic and Studies Course at the Australian Defence College, the Indian High Commission in Canberra said on December 7. The award, also referred to as the Commander Australian Defence College Award, recognizes the student who best demonstrates an understanding of the factors shaping regional relationships and decision-making, showing superior knowledge across political, diplomatic, military, cultural, and economic fields.
In a post on X, the Indian High Commission congratulated Col Roy on the achievement. The recognition underscores his academic and strategic grasp developed during the course.
The honour comes amid deepening defence ties between India and Australia. In November, during Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s visit with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, both ministers reviewed progress across the pillars of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership — including trade and investment, defence and security, education and skills, research and innovation, science and technology, space, energy, and people-to-people links — and discussed regional and global issues, reaffirming a shared commitment to a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
Earlier, during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s October visit to Australia, the two countries signed key defence agreements. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles described the newly signed defence agreement as a “hugely significant step” that strengthens the operational partnership between the nations’ armed forces, noting that deep trust and strategic alignment are now being expressed at a more operational level, including staff talks between operational commands. (ANI)
