AP to hosts Investopia Global-AP conference to attract UAE investments
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is will be the chief guest and the event is set to draw participation from approximately 200 representatives from various organisations and industries based in the United Arab Emirates. Among the attendees are UAE ministers, Chief Managing Directors, Chief Executive Officers, and other influential industrialists.
A key focus of the conference will be the strengthening of economic ties between India and the UAE, with discussions centred around four crucial topics. The first agenda item will explore how Andhra Pradesh can position itself as a favourable gateway for investments. Notable speakers include Dr. Jean Fares, CEO of Investopia, and Dr. Suchitra K. Ella, Vice President of CII and Co-Founder of Bharat Biotech International Limited, who will lend their expertise to the important discussions taking place.
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AP Preah Vihear Temple, the ancient Hindu site sitting high in the Dângrêk Mountains, has become the center of a long-running and deadly border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. While Cambodia won control of the temple in a 1962 ICJ ruling, Thailand still disputes ownership of the land around it. The issue exploded again in 2025, with fresh violence, political tension, and civilian casualties. What should be a symbol of history and peace continues to stir deep national pride, military clashes, and international concern. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File) Nestled atop a cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains, the ancient Preah Vihear Temple has become far more than a spiritual site. It's now the heart of a decades-long, sometimes deadly border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. Although this stunning 11th-century Hindu temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the land it sits on has fueled military clashes, displaced thousands, and triggered international court battles. But why exactly has this sacred site turned into a flashpoint for violence and political tension? The root of the dispute goes back to 1907, during the French colonial era, when France drew up a map placing Preah Vihear Temple inside Cambodian territory. Thailand (then known as Siam) initially accepted the map without official objection—but decades later, this decision came back to haunt both nations. Thailand now argues that the 1907 French map ignored a 1904 treaty, which said the border should follow the natural watershed line of the Dângrêk Mountains. According to Thai authorities, the watershed would have placed the temple well within Thailand's borders. Cambodia, however, continues to rely on the colonial-era map to assert sovereignty. ALSO READ: World War III: Thailand–Cambodia border clashes escalate toward war-like situation - South East Asia in turmoil In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in Cambodia's favor, awarding it sovereignty over the temple. Thailand was ordered to withdraw troops and return any artifacts taken from the site. This ruling caused an uproar in Thailand and has remained a source of diplomatic friction ever since. But the court's decision left one major issue unresolved—who owns the surrounding 4.6 square kilometers of land? The conflict reignited in 2008 when Cambodia successfully registered Preah Vihear as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thailand strongly opposed the move, fearing it would legitimize Cambodia's control over the surrounding territory. This led to a series of violent clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops, particularly between 2008 and 2011. The fighting included mortar shelling and rocket fire, leaving at least 20 people dead and thousands displaced. Schools and homes near the border were abandoned as entire communities fled the violence. Following the bloodshed, Cambodia once again approached the International Court of Justice in 2011, asking for a clear interpretation of its 1962 ruling. 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In a dramatic twist, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from office after a leaked phone call with Cambodia's former prime minister Hun Sen surfaced. Critics accused her of compromising national security and territorial sovereignty. For Cambodia, Preah Vihear is a proud emblem of Khmer heritage and cultural glory. It's considered one of the most spiritually significant structures in the country's history, standing as a testament to its ancient civilization. For Thailand, the conflict represents more than just a land dispute. Nationalist groups view the contested area as stolen territory and see any concession as a betrayal of Thai sovereignty. One of the core issues is the lack of clear border demarcation. Despite multiple treaties and memoranda, no definitive agreement has been reached on where the boundary line falls—especially around the temple area. Even after numerous bilateral talks and military coordination efforts, both sides continue to patrol and claim parts of the area, making tensions a recurring issue. Despite being members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Thailand and Cambodia have struggled to use regional diplomacy to resolve the dispute. While Cambodia prefers international legal arbitration, Thailand insists on bilateral negotiations—a key reason why the issue remains unresolved. The border tension has also exposed ASEAN's limitations in resolving internal disputes, particularly when national pride, military presence, and sovereignty are involved. Beyond its cultural and historical value, the Preah Vihear Temple region holds significant economic and strategic importance: Tourism revenue : The temple draws thousands of visitors annually. : The temple draws thousands of visitors annually. Natural resources : Control over nearby lands could include access to valuable minerals and forested land. : Control over nearby lands could include access to valuable minerals and forested land. Geopolitical influence: The temple sits on elevated ground, giving strategic military advantage in a region that has seen repeated troop buildup. Year Event Outcome 1907 French map places temple in Cambodia Thailand accepts without formal protest 1962 ICJ awards temple to Cambodia Thailand ordered to withdraw 2008 Cambodia registers site with UNESCO Thailand objects, military clashes begin 2011–2013 Cambodia seeks ICJ clarification Cambodia wins reaffirmation, Thailand withdraws troops 2025 New violence erupts over landmines and airstrikes Dozens dead, border closed, political fallout ensues The tragic irony of the Preah Vihear Temple dispute is that a site built for devotion and unity has become a symbol of division and unrest. While international law has sided with Cambodia on multiple occasions, the situation remains volatile due to national pride, unclear borders, and shifting politics. Until both countries reach a clear, enforceable agreement, this sacred temple will likely remain a powder keg—caught between two nations and haunted by the past. Q1: Why is Preah Vihear Temple causing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia? Because both countries claim the temple and the land around it as their own. Q2: What did the ICJ rule about Preah Vihear Temple? The ICJ gave the temple to Cambodia in 1962 but didn't settle the full border. ( Originally published on Jul 24, 2025 )
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Post-Assad Syria to hold first parliamentary polls in September amid sectarian unrest
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