Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (June 7, 2026) congratulated Major Abhilasha Barak on being conferred the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award and said the honour is a recognition of her exemplary service and also of India's longstanding contribution to the United Nations peacekeeping efforts.

Major Barak, currently serving with the United Nations mission in Lebanon, has been honoured with the award for her outreach efforts with women and girls during her deployment in the West Asian nation.

She is also the first woman combat helicopter pilot of the Indian Army.

"Congratulations to Major Abhilasha Barak on being conferred the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award," Mr. Modi said in a post on 'X'.

The Prime Minister said Major Barak is serving as an Engagement Team Commander and Gender Focal Point within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

"This honour is a recognition of her exemplary service and also of India's longstanding contribution to United Nations peacekeeping efforts. Her achievement is also an inspiration to countless young Indians, especially our daughters, who aspire to serve the nation and humanity," he said.

Each year, the awardee is selected from among candidates nominated by force commanders and heads of mission from all peace operations, according to UN Peacekeeping.

India is among the largest troop and police contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions.

As of February 2026, UNIFIL's force consists of 7,538 peacekeepers from 48 troop-contributing countries, including 642 personnel from India, the fourth highest after Italy (784), Indonesia (756) and Spain (660).