The Indian government has formally condemned the demolition of a nine-metre Hindu deity statue by the Thai military.
The incident occurred within a contested temple complex along the Thailand-Cambodia border, an area currently plagued by renewed military hostilities. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the destruction of the religious icon, which had been built in recent times, deeply hurts the sentiments of devotees worldwide. He emphasised that Hindu and Buddhist deities represent a shared civilisational heritage across Southeast Asia and argued that such "disrespectful acts" are unacceptable regardless of ongoing territorial claims.
The demolition took place as Thai forces used an excavator to dismantle the statue, which Cambodian personnel had reportedly installed in the disputed zone several years earlier. While Thai authorities defended the action on security grounds, claiming the structure violated military protocols in a sensitive buffer zone, the move has sparked a diplomatic row.
The timing of the escalation is particularly sensitive, as clashes have resumed despite a ceasefire recently brokered by US President Donald Trump. Video footage of the demolition circulated rapidly on social media, triggering "Boycott Thailand" trends and intensifying the nationalist rhetoric on both sides of the border.
New Delhi’s intervention highlights its growing role as a protector of cultural and religious heritage in the Indo-Pacific region. The MEA has urged both Bangkok and Phnom Penh to exercise restraint and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy to prevent further loss of life or damage to shared heritage sites.
Historical tensions over the Preah Vihear temple and surrounding land have caused periodic skirmishes for decades, but the destruction of religious imagery marks a worrying shift in the conflict. India remains in close contact with both neighbouring capitals, advocating for a peaceful resolution that respects the religious sanctity of the region's ancient and modern monuments.