Defence Minister flags off expeditions to Mt Everest and Mt Kangchenjunga

ANI April 3, 2025 119 views

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has launched two significant mountaineering expeditions featuring Indian and Nepali Army teams targeting Mount Everest and Mount Kangchenjunga. The missions will involve 34 climbers for Everest and 18 mountaineers for Kangchenjunga, with an additional NCC team that includes five girl cadets. These expeditions aim to showcase the armed forces' exceptional skills, resilience, and commitment to pushing human potential. The events highlight India's growing prowess in high-altitude mountaineering and serve as an inspirational platform for future generations.

"These expeditions will inspire youth and showcase India's leadership in high-altitude mountaineering" - Rajnath Singh
New Delhi, April 3: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off expeditions to Mount Everest (8,848m) and Mount Kangchenjunga (8,586m) from South Block, New Delhi, on April 03, 2025.

Key Points

1

Indian Army leads 34-member Everest expedition via South Col Route

2

Joint Indo-Nepal team targets Kangchenjunga summit

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NCC expedition includes 5 girl cadets

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Missions aim to highlight military's resilience and skills

The Indian Army's Mount Everest expedition, comprising 34 climbers, will follow the traditional South Col Route and will be led by Lieutenant Colonel Manoj Joshi.

The joint Indo-Nepal expedition, which aims to scale Mount Kangchenjunga, will feature 12 mountaineers from the Indian Army and six from the Nepali Army. Colonel Sarfaraz Singh of the Indian Army will lead the expedition.

Additionally, Colonel Amit Bisht will lead a joint NCC expedition to Mount Everest. The team consists of five girl cadets, five boy cadets, four officers, and 11 permanent instructors. Scheduled to commence this month, the teams aim to reach their respective summits by May 2025.

The Defence Minister interacted with the mountaineers and commended their courage, dedication & determination. He exuded confidence that these expeditions would inspire the youth and underscore India's leadership in high-altitude mountaineering.

The expeditions are designed to showcase the Armed Forces' exceptional skills, resilience, and indomitable spirit while setting new benchmarks in high-altitude mountaineering. They are expected to inspire future generations to pursue their dreams with courage, determination, and the spirit of excellence.

The Indian Army organised the event, which was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Nepal's Ambassador to India Dr Shankar P Sharma, a delegation from Nepal, and other senior civil and military officials. (

The Defence Minister also addressed the Army Commanders' Conference in New Delhi today. He complimented the Army leadership for successfully taking the 'Defence and Security' vision of the Nation to new heights and lauded their approach to the infusion and absorption of cutting-edge technology. Keeping in mind the present dynamic geostrategic changes and the ongoing global security scenarios, he urged the armed forces to work on dynamic perspective planning addressing both the long-term and short-term challenges.

Reader Comments

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Priya K.
So inspiring to see our armed forces taking on these incredible challenges! Wishing all the climbers safe journeys and successful summits 🇮🇳🏔️ The inclusion of NCC cadets is especially heartwarming - showing young Indians what's possible!
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Rahul S.
While I admire the spirit of these expeditions, I wonder if the resources could be better spent on modernizing military equipment. Mountaineering is impressive, but shouldn't defense budgets prioritize defense capabilities first?
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Ananya P.
The joint expedition with Nepal is such a beautiful display of international cooperation! High-altitude mountaineering requires incredible teamwork - what better way to strengthen bonds between nations than facing these challenges together?
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Vikram D.
My cousin was part of last year's expedition and the training these soldiers go through is insane! Respect to all involved. The mental toughness required is as important as physical strength in these conditions.
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Sunita M.
Love seeing the gender diversity in these teams! Five girl cadets in the NCC expedition makes me so proud as an Indian woman. Breaking stereotypes one summit at a time 💪
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Karan J.
These expeditions aren't just about climbing mountains - they're about pushing human limits and showcasing what our armed forces are capable of. The discipline and skills translate directly to military operations in harsh terrains.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Rajnath Singh Indian Army Mount Everest Kangchenjunga Mountaineering Defence Expedition NCC
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