Cambodia rakes up Angkor Wat replica issue with India

Cambodia on Tuesday asked India to “completely stop” a private trust’s plans to build a ‘replica’ of the world’s largest Hindu temple Angkor Wat in Bihar, saying it would affect the country’s prestige.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong raised the issue during a meeting with India’s outgoing Ambassador to Cambodia Dinesh K Patnaik.

“The deputy prime minister said Angkor Wat temple is the national symbol of Cambodia and requested Indian government to completely stop the company’s plan to build the replica of Angkor Wat temple,” which would affect Cambodia’s prestige, state-run AKP news agency reported, quoting foreign ministry spokesman Chum <g data-gr-id="12">Sounry</g>.

“The issue was indeed raised, but I would repeat what Kumari Selja (then Culture Minister) said in 2012 in Parliament that the promoters of the temple will not make a replica of the Angkor Wat,” Patnaik said. Patnaik, who promised Namhong to convey Cambodia’s request to the government of India, said Patna-based Mahavir Mandir Trust is yet to acquire land for its dream project.