India said today it welcomed a European Union call to Pakistan to stop the infiltration of Islamic militants into Indian Kashmir.
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"We are very happy with the European Union declaration as it reflects India's nagging concerns about cross-border terrorism," Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani said on his return to New Delhi after a five-day visit to Spain.
India accuses Pakistan of funding and supporting the Islamic insurgency in Kashmir, which has left at least 35,000 people dead.
An Indian Border Security Force soldier was injured today as India and Pakistan traded fire along the disputed border.
Meanwhile, a police official said two Muslim militants were killed in an encounter with security forces this morning. Police said they recovered large quantities of arms and ammunition from the militants suspected to be members of the dominant Kashmiri militant group Hizbul Mujahedin.
At their two-day summit, European leaders called on Pakistan to boost its campaign against "terrorist" groups, while urging India to demonstrate its willingness to ease tensions in the region.
In a declaration, European Union leaders welcomed steps by Pakistan "to begin clamping down on cross-border terrorism" and "the de-escalatory measures announced by India in response."
Pakistan announced earlier this month that it would halt infiltration of militants into Indian Kashmir. In response India withdrew its warships and reopened its airspace to Pakistani aircraft.
Noting however that the situation remained precarious, the EU statement "called on Pakistan to take further concrete action", including closing training camps, stopping infiltration across the Line of Control and preventing "terrorist" groups from operating from territory in its control.
The Indian home minister said regional tensions with Pakistan figured prominently in his talks with Spanish leaders.
"During my visit we discussed the security scenario in the region at great length and recent tensions with Pakistan. We also talked about Indo-Spanish co-operation in combating international terrorism," said Mr Advani.
AFP