India has strongly condemned the demolition of a statue of Lord Vishnu, a Hindu deity, near the Thailand-Cambodia border. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed serious concern over the incident, emphasizing that such actions are disrespectful and hurt the religious sentiments of people worldwide. The demolition occurred amidst ongoing territorial disputes and renewed clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces in the border region.
The statue, reportedly constructed in 2014, was allegedly destroyed by Thai military engineers. Videos of the demolition have been widely circulated on social media, sparking outrage and drawing criticism from India and Cambodia. Cambodia has also criticized Thailand, claiming the statue was located within Cambodian territory. Kim Chanpanha, a Cambodian spokesman in the border province of Preah Vihear, stated that the statue was situated inside Cambodian territory in the An Ses area. According to AFP reports, the statue was approximately 100 meters from the Thai border, while other mappings suggest it was around 400 meters away. Thai authorities have not yet issued an official response to the incident.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Hindu and Buddhist deities are deeply revered across the region as part of a shared civilizational heritage. He emphasized that "notwithstanding territorial claims, such disrespectful acts hurt the sentiments of followers around the world and should not take place". India has urged both Thailand and Cambodia to exercise restraint and ensure that religious sites and symbols are not affected by territorial disputes. The MEA has called for de-escalation and urged both sides to return to dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace and prevent further loss of life, damage to property, and harm to heritage.
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have escalated following renewed military clashes in the disputed border region. Although a ceasefire was brokered in July, fighting resumed earlier this month, raising concerns about further instability. The conflict stems from a long-standing territorial dispute over an 800-kilometer border, with ancient temple ruins along the frontier serving as a central point of contention. Recent clashes have reportedly resulted in numerous casualties and significant property damage. Military officials from both nations have initiated new talks aimed at achieving a positive outcome and de-escalating the situation.
