A joint team of Indian and Nepal Armies climb Mt Kanchenjunga (PC: Indian Army)
New Delhi: In a heartwarming display of resilience, friendship and camaraderie, a joint mountaineering team of the Indian Army and the Nepal Army on Monday successfully scaled the World’s third highest peak – Mount Kanchenjunga, an altitude of 8,586 metres.
Displaying a resounding testament to India-Nepal friendship, the 9-member mountaineering expedition team was led by Colonel Sarfraz Singh from Indian side while the Nepal’s team was represented by Captain Prashant Khanka.
The team included one officer and four soldiers from India and an officer and three troopers from Nepal.
During their last leg of the expedition, the joint team had to negotiate severe high-altitude conditions, including subzero temperatures and gale-force winds on May 19.
After successfully completing the summit, they unfurled their national flags in a symbolic gesture of partnership before commencing a carefully phased descent.
“This joint achievement not only underscores the professional excellence, endurance and interoperability of both armies, but also reinforces decades of mutual trust that characterise India–Nepal defence cooperation,” an Indian Army officer said.
“The mission’s success follows rigorous joint training at the High-Altitude Warfare School, Gulmarg, and pre-expedition acclimatisation in the Sikkim Himalaya.”
During their expedition, there has been no reports of injuries and they are expected to descent to the Base Camp by May 22.
Senior leadership of both armies have conveyed their congratulations, noting that the feat will inspire greater collaboration in adventure sports, disaster-response exercises and people-to-people ties between the two nations.
NCC Cadets successfully climb Mount Everest
Additionally, a joint team comprised 10 NCC cadets (five boys & five girls) along with four Officers, two junior commissioned officers, one girl cadet instructor and 10 non-commissioned officers has reached a significant milestone as the team successfully scaled Mount Everest on May 18. The teal was led by Colonel Amit Bisht.
Chosen from across the country, these selected cadets were novices, and had undergone a strict selection and training process.
As part of their preparation, they conducted a pre-Everest Expedition at Mount Abi Gamin.
The final team of 15 cadets was then selected to undergo winter and technical training at the Army Mountaineering Institute, Siachen Base Camp. After months of training, ten cadets were selected for the Mount Everest Expedition.
The team, comprising the youngest climbers with an average age of 19 years, became the centre of attraction and were noted for their fitness and discipline during acclimatisation training at various stages of the ascent.
Sherpas of Nepal praised the NCC team for their physical readiness and morale.
The expedition was flagged-off by the defence minister, Rajnath Singh, from New Delhi on April 03, 2025. This is the third ascent of Mount Everest by the NCC, following previous expeditions in 2013 and 2016.
