Human rights campaign group Amnesty International called on India to abolish the death penalty Tuesday, a day before European Union officials were due to meet Indian leaders at a summit to be held in New Delhi.

An Amnesty statement expressed "growing concern" at the use of capital punishment on the subcontinent and urged EU leaders to pressurise New Delhi to set an example for the protection of human rights in Asia.

The group has also expressed its concerns in writing to the British EU presidency. British Prime Minister Tony Blair is heading the EU delegation attending the New Delhi meeting.