India on Friday voiced strong concern over reports of damage to conservation facilities at the ancient Preah Vihear Temple complex, a revered 12th-century Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated atop the Dângrêk Mountains along the contested Thailand–Cambodia border. The remarks came as hostilities between the two Southeast Asian neighbours entered a dangerous phase, resulting in artillery and rocket attacks near the disputed territory.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to media questions, confirmed that India was “closely monitoring” the situation and called for immediate measures to safeguard the UNESCO World Heritage Site. “We have seen reports regarding damage to conservation facilities at Preah Vihear during the ongoing Thailand–Cambodia border clashes,” Jaiswal said, describing the developments as “unfortunate” and “a matter of concern.”

Preah Vihear, an architectural masterpiece dating back to the Khmer Empire, has long been at the heart of a complex and sensitive border dispute. Although the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, disagreements over the surrounding territory have periodically escalated into armed confrontations, with the current clashes among the most serious in recent years.

Calling attention to the temple’s global importance, Jaiswal added, “The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Preah Vihear temple is 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.” His comments underline India’s longstanding ties to Southeast Asian cultural heritage and its broader diplomatic interest in regional stability.

As tensions between Thailand and Cambodia intensify, New Delhi renewed its appeal for de-escalation. “We once again reiterate our 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 urged.

Reports from the region indicate that the latest flare-up began on December 10, with both countries accusing each other of initiating strikes that affected civilian areas near the border. According to the Associated Press, the Thai army claimed to have destroyed a tall crane positioned on a hill controlled by Cambodia in the vicinity of the temple. Thailand alleged that the equipment was being used for electronic and optical surveillance to support military operations, a claim Cambodia has not accepted.

Against this volatile backdrop, the Indian Embassy in Thailand issued a travel advisory for Indian nationals. The advisory urged travellers to check official Thai government sources before visiting regions near the Thailand–Cambodia border, given the risk of further escalation.

UNESCO, too, has expressed deep concern over the renewed violence and its potential impact on the temple complex. In a statement, the organisation emphasised that it “will continue to monitor the situation of cultural heritage in the region, with a view to ensuring its protection.” UNESCO also noted that it stands ready to offer technical assistance and emergency protection measures “as soon as conditions allow.”

Preah Vihear remains one of the most significant surviving symbols of Southeast Asia’s ancient Hindu heritage. Damage to its conservation facilities, even indirectly through military activity, raises alarm not only for preservationists but also for governments across the region. India’s response highlights the broader international worry that renewed conflict could jeopardise fragile historical structures that embody centuries of shared cultural history.

With the situation still unfolding, global attention remains focused on efforts to prevent further violence and safeguard the temple site from additional harm. The coming days will likely determine whether diplomatic channels can calm the rising tensions or whether the border dispute will continue to endanger one of the world’s cultural treasures.