Editorial

On January 14, 2026, India comes alive with the vibrant spirit of Makar Sankranti, a pan-Indian festival that unites diverse regions under the shared joy of harvest and cosmic transition. Unlike lunar-based festivals, this solar celebration marks the precise moment when the Sun transits into Capricorn (Makara Rashi) at around 3:13 PM IST, heralding Uttarayan—the northward journey that signals the end of winter’s chill and the promise of longer, brighter days. Major panchangs confirm this auspicious date, making January 14 the focal point for rituals nationwide.

At its core, Makar Sankranti is a profound harvest festival, expressing gratitude to nature, farmers, and the Sun God (Surya) for the bounty of Rabi crops like wheat, sugarcane, and sesame. It symbolizes renewal: light triumphing over darkness, knowledge dispelling ignorance, and prosperity following diligent effort. Spiritually, Uttarayan is deemed highly auspicious in Vedic traditions, ideal for holy dips, charity, and new beginnings—echoing themes of purification and positive karma.

Regional expressions showcase India’s cultural richness. In the North, particularly Punjab and Haryana, festivities begin with Lohri on January 13, featuring bonfires, folk dances like Bhangra, and offerings of sesame-jaggery sweets (til-gud) amid songs praising warmth and community. Families circle the fire, tossing popcorn and rewari, invoking blessings for abundance.

In Gujarat, it transforms into Uttarayan, the world-famous kite festival. Skies over Ahmedabad and other cities fill with colorful patangs from dawn to dusk, including the International Kite Festival drawing global participants. Rooftops echo with cheers as kite-flyers battle with manjha strings, embodying playful competition and the winds of change.

Southern states celebrate as Pongal over four days, peaking on Thai Pongal (January 14). Tamil households cook sweet rice (Sakkarai Pongal) in earthen pots, allowing it to overflow—a symbol of overflowing prosperity—while honoring the Sun, cattle (Mattu Pongal), and family bonds through kolam designs and feasts.

In the East, Assam’s Magh Bihu features community feasts and bonfires, while Odisha and West Bengal emphasize traditional sweets like makara chaula.

Common threads bind these variations: early morning holy baths in rivers like the Ganga, offerings of water to the Sun (Arghya), acts of charity (daan) with sesame, blankets, and food, and sharing tilgul sweets with the greeting “Til gul ghya, god god bola” (eat sweets and speak sweetly) to foster harmony. In an era of rapid change, Makar Sankranti reminds us of enduring values—gratitude for nature’s cycles, the dignity of labor, and communal unity. As kites soar, pots overflow, and bonfires glow, it inspires reflection on personal growth and collective prosperity. May this Sankranti bring warmth, light, and abundance to all.

The hosting of the 16th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Experts Working Group (EWG) on Counter-Terrorism in New Delhi from January 14-16, 2026, co-chaired by India and Malaysia, underscores India’s deepening engagement in regional security architecture. As part of the 2024-2027 cycle, this third meeting in the series brings together delegations from 11 ASEAN member states—including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor-Leste—along with seven key dialogue partners: Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, China, the United States, and Russia, plus the ASEAN Secretariat.

This event begins with the Final Planning Conference for the upcoming Table Top Exercise (TTX) on January 14, setting the stage for deliberations on progress review, ongoing initiatives, and future activities under the three-year work plan. The ADMM-Plus framework, established to foster practical defence cooperation, addresses critical areas like maritime security, humanitarian assistance, and counter-terrorism through dedicated EWGs. Counter-terrorism remains a priority amid evolving transnational threats, including radicalization, terror financing, and the misuse of advanced technologies.

India’s co-chairmanship with Malaysia, which began after the handover from the previous cycle (Myanmar and Russia), reflects the nation’s growing stature in multilateral counter-terrorism efforts. Since assuming this role in 2025, India has emphasized a zero-tolerance policy, robust intelligence-sharing, and comprehensive strategies combining domestic mechanisms with regional collaboration. The current cycle builds on earlier commitments, including the announcement of a TTX in Malaysia later in 2026 and a culminating Field Training Exercise (FTX) hosted by India in 2027. These exercises will test coordination, operational readiness, and practical outcomes, ensuring tangible enhancements in collective response capabilities.

This initiative aligns seamlessly with India’s Act East Policy, positioning the country as a reliable security partner in the Indo-Pacific. Shared concerns over terrorism’s border-transcending nature have fostered convergence between India and ASEAN, evident in joint declarations, capacity-building programs, and intelligence exchanges. By hosting this meeting amid global uncertainties, India reinforces its commitment to a rules-based order, promoting trust, synergy, and resilience against extremism.

In an era where terrorism exploits technology and transcends geography, such platforms are indispensable. The New Delhi gathering not only advances the ADMM-Plus agenda but also signals a collective resolve to safeguard peace and stability. As India continues to lead in this domain, the collaboration promises a more secure Indo-Pacific, benefiting all participating nations through sustained dialogue and action-oriented cooperation.

• SAS Kirmani