New Delhi, 05 February (H.S.): A six-member Indian mountaineering team departed from New Delhi's South Block on Thursday for a daring assault on Mount Aconcagua, South America's highest peak at 6,961 meters and the tallest mountain outside Asia.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh gave the green flag to this joint expedition targeting Argentina's iconic summit, with the journey commencing February 6 and expected to conclude by month's end.

Organized jointly by Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi, and Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & Winter Sports (JIM&WS), Pahalgam, the elite squad comprises Col Hem Chandra Singh, Capt G Santhosh Kumar, Deep Bahadur Sahi, Vinod Gusain, Nb Sub Bhupinder Singh, and Hav Ramesh Kumar—all highly trained instructors.

Extending best wishes, the Defence Minister remarked that scaling this formidable peak tests not just physical endurance but true leadership, teamwork, and mental fortitude—hallmarks of India's finest mountaineers. He expressed confidence the team will triumphantly summit South America's loftiest pinnacle and the highest outside Asia, filling the nation with pride.

Singh added that insights, experience, and confidence from Aconcagua will directly enhance safer, more effective training for youth, Armed Forces personnel, and adventure enthusiasts nationwide. The expedition symbolizes India's burgeoning global footprint in adventure sports and high-altitude exploration.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar