India has expressed worries regarding the demolition of a Hindu deity statue in an area affected by the ongoing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. The act has been criticized globally for its disrespect towards the Lord Vishnu statue, allegedly demolished by Thai authorities. Cambodian officials confirmed that the statue, built in 2014, was located within Cambodian territory.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded to media inquiries, acknowledging reports of the recent demolition of a Hindu religious deity statue in the disputed area. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized the deep reverence for Hindu and Buddhist deities in the region, highlighting the shared civilizational heritage. Jaiswal stressed that such disrespectful acts not only hurt the sentiments of followers worldwide but should also be avoided.
Amid military clashes between Bangkok and Phnom Penh along their land border, at least 80 deaths have been reported following collapsed truce talks. ASEAN’s top diplomats agreed to facilitate discussions between the defense officials of Thailand and Cambodia to reinstate the ceasefire. The unresolved border dispute between the two countries stems from competing territorial claims dating back to the French colonial era.
