Indian, Argentine Armies Successfully Summit Mt Aconcagua on Army Day 2025
New Delhi, January 16, 2025: In a remarkable display of collaboration and strength, a joint mountaineering expedition by the Indian Army and the Argentine Army successfully reached the summit of Mt Aconcagua, the tallest peak in the Americas, on Army Day 2025. Standing at an impressive height of 6,995 meters, Aconcagua is a renowned challenge for mountaineers worldwide.
The expedition, which began on January 3, 2025, involved an eight-member Indian team, led by Lieutenant Colonel Manoj Joshi, and a 15-member Argentine contingent. Both teams achieved the summit on January 15, 2025, after days of arduous climbing and teamwork.
The Indian Army took to social media, making the announcement via X: “On the occasion of Army Day 2025, a joint mountaineering expedition of the Indian Army and the Argentine Army successfully summited the majestic Mt Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas, standing tall at 6,995 meters. The journey, which commenced on January 3, 2025, included an Indian team led by Lieutenant Colonel Manoj Joshi and a 15-member Argentine group. The teams reached the summit on January 15, 2025.” The Indian Army emphasized that this accomplishment strengthens bilateral defense ties and showcases the importance of cooperation to foster mutual understanding and trust between the armed forces of both nations.
The statement concluded with the slogan: “Jointly Rising to New Heights.”
The achievement was celebrated by Dinesh Bhatia, India’s Ambassador to Argentina, who praised both teams for their success. The Indian Embassy in Argentina highlighted Ambassador Bhatia’s congratulatory message: “Amb @dineshbhatia congratulates the mountaineering teams of @adgpi and @Ejercito_Arg for successfully conquering Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas, in their first joint expedition.”
India and Argentina share a rich and enduring relationship grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and collaboration. Diplomatic ties between the two countries were elevated to the level of a Strategic Partnership during the state visit of the then-President of Argentina to India in February 2019. This partnership continues to grow, spanning sectors such as defense, mining, culture, and science.
The relationship dates back to 1943, when India established a Trade Commission in Buenos Aires, which later became an embassy in 1949, one of India’s first in South America. Argentina, on the other hand, initiated diplomatic engagement with India in the 1920s with a consulate in Kolkata, which was later moved to New Delhi as an embassy in 1950. Argentina has maintained a Consulate General in Mumbai since 2009.
The Indian community in Argentina, numbering about 2,600 people, is primarily based in Buenos Aires, with many members working for multinational corporations such as Cognizant Technologies and IBM. Additionally, earlier generations of migrants, now in their third or fourth generations, reside in provinces like Salta and Jujuy, where they continue to play an active role in cultural and economic exchanges between the two nations.
