New Delhi, 08 July (H.S.): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's cultural diplomacy extends far beyond speeches and symbolic initiatives, taking concrete shape through the preservation and restoration of shared civilisational heritage across Asia.

In a social media post, BJP IT Department head Amit Malviya said India has been actively involved in restoring and conserving several historic heritage sites, including the Thiruketheeswaram Temple in Sri Lanka, the Shrinathji Temple in Bahrain, the Angkor monuments in Cambodia, Vat Phou in Laos, the My Son Sanctuary in Vietnam, historic heritage sites in Nepal, temples in Bangladesh, the Bagan Heritage Zone in Myanmar, and now the Prambanan Temple complex in Indonesia.

According to Malviya, these initiatives demonstrate India's commitment to preserving a shared cultural legacy that transcends modern political boundaries. He said the projects reflect India's growing soft power, rooted in civilisational confidence, while strengthening friendships, people-to-people ties and cultural cooperation with countries across the region.

Malviya added that India is not merely conserving historical monuments but is also reinforcing centuries-old civilisational connections through these restoration efforts.

India is set to assist Indonesia in the conservation and restoration of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Prambanan Temple complex. The two countries exchanged a Letter of Intent on Tuesday to begin work on the project.

Built in the 10th century, the Prambanan Temple complex is dedicated to the three principal deities of Hinduism—Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Three additional temples within the complex are dedicated to the sacred animals regarded as the vehicles of these deities.

The temple complex was commissioned by Rakai Pikatan, a Hindu ruler of the Sanjaya dynasty, which governed the ancient Mataram Kingdom. It remains one of Southeast Asia's most significant monuments of Hindu architecture and a lasting symbol of the deep cultural and historical ties between India and Indonesia.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar