India on Wednesday expressed concern over the demolition of a Hindu deity statue during the military conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, saying such “disrespectful acts” would hurt the sentiments of followers around the world.
The statue of Lord Vishnu, built in 2014, was demolished using a backhoe loader allegedly by the Thai military on Monday.
"We have seen reports on the demolition of a statue of a Hindu religious deity, built in recent times, and located in an area affected by the ongoing Thai-Cambodia border dispute," said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
He noted that Hindu and Buddhist deities are deeply revered and worshipped by people across the region as part of their shared civilizational heritage.
"Notwithstanding territorial claims, such disrespectful acts hurt the sentiments of followers around the world and should not take place," he added.
India urged both Thailand and Cambodia to resolve their border dispute through dialogue and diplomacy.
"We once again urge the two sides to return to dialogue and diplomacy, to resume peace, and avoid any further loss of life, damage to property, and harm to heritage," Jaiswal said.
At least 80 people have been killed as forces from the two countries engaged in fierce border clashes for over two weeks.
Military officials from both sides held talks on Wednesday, two days after a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur of Southeast Asian foreign ministers convened to try to salvage a truce.
The talks were held at a border checkpoint towards the southern end of their 817-km (508-mile) frontier.