India has raised strong concerns after a statue of Lord Vishnu was demolished amid the ongoing military clashes between Thailand and Cambodia along their disputed border. New Delhi said such acts deeply hurt religious sentiments and called for peace through dialogue and diplomacy.
Diplomatic Response and Regional Tensions
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it has taken note of reports and viral footage showing the recent demolition of a Hindu deity’s statue located in an area affected by the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute. External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Hindu and Buddhist deities are “deeply revered and worshipped by people across the region as part of our shared civilisational heritage” and called the incident “disrespectful” to the sentiments of followers globally. India urged both Bangkok and Phnom Penh to return to dialogue and diplomacy to prevent loss of life, property, and further damage to heritage sites.
The statue, reportedly of Lord Vishnu and built in 2014, was demolished by Thai military engineers using heavy machinery amid renewed fighting that erupted after a fragile ceasefire collapsed this month. Videos circulating online have amplified public attention and diplomatic reactions.
Highlights of the Incident.
- The statue was located in a disputed border area where fierce clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces have occurred for weeks.
- Thailand has claimed the structure was not an official religious site and was removed for security and area control after reclaiming contested ground.
- Cambodia has condemned the act, saying the statue stood inside its territory and accusing Thailand of disrespecting cultural heritage.
- India stressed that religious and cultural symbols should not be targeted or become collateral damage in territorial disputes.
The demolition of the Vishnu statue has added a cultural and emotional dimension to the broader Thailand-Cambodia border conflict. India’s response reflects not only concern for religious sentiments but also a call for restraint and peaceful resolution to prevent further escalation and protect shared historical values across the region
