New Delhi, April 3, 2025: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off two Indian Army expeditions to Mount Everest (8,848m) and Mount Kangchenjunga (8,586m) from South Block, New Delhi.
The Indian Army’s Mount Everest expedition, comprising 34 climbers, will be led by Lieutenant Colonel Manoj Joshi and will follow the traditional South Col Route. Simultaneously, a joint Indo-Nepal expedition to Mount Kangchenjunga will include 12 Indian Army mountaineers and six from the Nepali Army, led by Colonel Sarfaraz Singh.
In addition, an NCC expedition to Mount Everest will be led by Colonel Amit Bisht. The team consists of 10 NCC cadets (five boys and five girls), four officers, and 11 permanent instructors.
Addressing the mountaineers, Raksha Mantri lauded their courage, resilience, and dedication, expressing confidence that their achievements will inspire the youth and reinforce India’s leadership in high-altitude mountaineering.
The event was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Nepal’s Ambassador to India Dr. Shankar P Sharma, and other senior civil and military officials.
These expeditions aim to set new benchmarks in mountaineering, demonstrating the strength and determination of the Indian Armed Forces while inspiring future generations to embrace challenges with courage and perseverance.
