AKP Phnom Penh, December 25, 2025 --    

India has condemned the destruction of a statue of a Hindu religious deity in an area affected by the ongoing Cambodia-Thailand border dispute, describing the act as disrespectful.

The Official Spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Shri Randhir Jaiswal, said on Dec. 24 that Hindu and Buddhist deities are deeply revered and worshipped by people across the region as part of a shared civilisational heritage.

“Notwithstanding territorial claims, such disrespectful acts hurt the sentiments of followers around the world and should not take place,” he stressed in response to media queries regarding the demolition of the statue.

The spokesperson also once again urged the two sides to return to dialogue and diplomacy, to resume peace and avoid any further loss of lives and damage to property and heritage.

Recently circulated videos on social media showed Thai forces using a backhoe loader to demolish the Hindu deity statue, which was built in 2014 and located within Cambodian territory in the An Ses area.

By C. Nika