General Dhiraj Seth, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), flagged in the members of a joint Indo-Argentine Army mountaineering expedition in New Delhi after the team successfully climbed 2 Himalayan peaks in September 2026.
The expedition reached the summit of Mt Abi Gamin, at 7,355 metres, on 17 September. It then climbed Mt Kamet, at 7,756 metres, on 21 September.
The Ministry of Defence said the achievement demonstrated the expedition’s physical endurance, technical proficiency, mental resilience and close coordination in demanding high-altitude conditions.
Expedition composition and route
Led by Lieutenant Colonel Chirag Chatterjee, the expedition included 35 personnel. The team comprised 25 personnel from the Indian Army and 10 personnel from the Argentine Army.
The expedition was flagged off from the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi on 21 August 2026. Its successful ascent of both peaks brought together personnel from the 2 armies for a demanding mountaineering mission in the Himalayas.
During the operation, the mountaineers faced extreme cold, high winds, snowfields, steep rock sections and crevasses. They also had to manage the broader challenges associated with high-altitude terrain while attempting both summits.
Importance of Mt Kamet
Mt Kamet is located in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. At 7,756 metres, it is the third-highest peak in India after Mt Kanchenjunga and Mt Nanda Devi.
The expedition therefore has particular relevance for Uttarakhand, where Chamoli contains the mountain environment in which the team completed one of its 2 summit climbs. The successful ascent also places the district at the centre of this joint military mountaineering achievement.
The ceremony in New Delhi followed the completion of the climbs and formally recognised the expedition members. General Dhiraj Seth’s participation marked the Army’s acknowledgement of the team’s performance under difficult Himalayan conditions.
The report was also carried by DD India, which identified the event as the flag-in ceremony for the expedition after its successful summits of Mt Kamet and Mt Abi Gamin.
Conclusion
The Indo-Argentine expedition successfully climbed Mt Abi Gamin on 17 September and Mt Kamet on 21 September 2026, before being flagged in by General Dhiraj Seth in New Delhi. The mission involved 35 personnel and tested endurance, technical ability and coordination in the Himalayas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who led the Indo-Argentine mountaineering expedition?
Lieutenant Colonel Chirag Chatterjee led the expedition.
Q. How many personnel took part in the expedition?
The expedition comprised 35 personnel: 25 from the Indian Army and 10 from the Argentine Army.
Q. Which peaks did the team climb?
The team climbed Mt Abi Gamin and Mt Kamet.
Q. When did the team summit Mt Abi Gamin?
The expedition summited Mt Abi Gamin, at 7,355 metres, on 17 September 2026.
Q. When did the team summit Mt Kamet?
The team reached the summit of Mt Kamet, at 7,756 metres, on 21 September 2026.
Q. Where is Mt Kamet located?
Mt Kamet is located in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand.
Q. What is Mt Kamet’s position among India’s highest peaks?
Mt Kamet is the third-highest peak in India after Mt Kanchenjunga and Mt Nanda Devi.
Q. Where was the expedition flagged off?
The expedition was flagged off from the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, on 21 August 2026.
