He told Vajpayee that ``mutually acceptable'' approaches should be devised to preserve peace and prevent ``our region from descending into chaos and conflagration,'' an official statement said.

``It is incumbent on the leadership to avert any further aggravation which will be detrimental to the economic development efforts in both countries,'' the statement quoted Sharif as telling the Indian Premier.

Sharif stressed the need to promote durable peace and security through the ``process of dialogue and peaceful negotiations'' in pursuance of the Lahore Declaration.