India Concerned Over Damage to Preah Vihear Temple, Urges De-escalation: MEA
© AP Photo / AKP
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New Delhi has expressed concern over the reported damage to the conservation facilities at Preah Vihear during the ongoing Thailand-Cambodia border clashes.
"Any damage to conservation facilities is unfortunate, and is a matter of concern," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson (MEA) Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement on Friday evening, as renewed clashes between Thailand and Cambodia entered their third day.
This is the second time this year that Cambodia and Thailand have been involved in border clashes, roots of which lie in the sovereignty claims to the 11th-century Hindu temple Preah Vihear.
The MEA Spokesperson termed the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Preah Vihear as a "shared cultural heritage of humanity."
This is the second time this year that Cambodia and Thailand have been involved in border clashes, roots of which lie in the sovereignty claims to the 11th-century Hindu temple Preah Vihear.
The MEA Spokesperson termed the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Preah Vihear as a "shared cultural heritage of humanity."
"India has been closely involved in its preservation. We sincerely hope that all measures will be taken to fully safeguard the site and related conservation facilities," Jaiswal said, in reference to the August 2018 MoU signed between India and Cambodia for the conservation of the Preah Vihear Temple.
A three-member team from India's Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) started work on the site in 2022, which essentially is a 10-year project costing $5.5 million.
The Indian foreign ministry spokesperson also reiterated New Delhi's appeal to both sides to "exercise restraint and to take measures for cessation of hostilities and prevention of further escalation".
The Indian foreign ministry spokesperson also reiterated New Delhi's appeal to both sides to "exercise restraint and to take measures for cessation of hostilities and prevention of further escalation".
"We urge them to return to the path of dialogue and peace," Jaiswal said.
According to reports, thousands of people along the Cambodia-Thailand border have been forced to flee to safer areas following the escalation of tensions this week, which both sides blame on the other.
Following the clashes in July, leaders of Cambodia and Thailand signed on to a ceasefire pact, known as Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord, mediated by the US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on 26 October on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
Following the clashes in July, leaders of Cambodia and Thailand signed on to a ceasefire pact, known as Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord, mediated by the US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on 26 October on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
