SEVILLE, June 21: European Union leaders on Friday urged India to take “further de-escalatory steps” in response to Pakistan’s clampdown on “cross-border terrorism”.

A statement issued by an EU summit in Seville welcomed Pakistan’s efforts to begin curbing the “infiltration” of guerillas into held Kashmir.

India must reciprocate with further moves to ease tensions between the two countries, the statement said.

EU governments also urged India and Pakistan to ensure effective monitoring “in a form acceptable to both” on the Line of Control.

However, the leaders warned that the situation remains “precarious and that the consequences of a break-out of war could be devastating for the region and beyond”.

Pakistan must take “further concrete actions to stop infiltration” across the Line of Control, prevent “terrorist groups” from operating from territory under its control and close down training camps, the statement said.

EU leaders also urged India “to be ready to respond with further de-escalatory steps as Pakistan shows that it is acting to fulfil its commitments”.

Both countries must seek out confidence-building measures to defuse the immediate crisis and start working towards a “lasting solution through dialogue of the differences between them”, the statement said.