Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and US President Bill Clinton issued a joint statement after nearly three hours of talks on the situation in Kashmir. Here is the full text of the statement issued in Washington on Sunday.

President Clinton and Prime Minister Sharif share the view that the current fighting in the Kargil region of Kashmir is dangerous and contains the seeds of a wider conflict.

They also agreed that it was vital for the peace of South Asia that the Line of Control in Kashmir be respected by both parties, in accordance with the 1972 Simla Accord.

It was agreed between the president and the prime minister that concrete steps will be taken for the restoration of the Line of Control in accordance with the Simla agreement.

The president urged an immediate cessation of the hostilities once these steps are taken.

"The prime minister and president agreed that the bilateral dialogue begun in Lahore in February provides the best forum for resolving all issues dividing India and Pakistan, including Kashmir.

The president said he would take a personal interest in encouraging an expeditious resumption and intensification of those bilateral efforts, once the sanctity of the Line of Control has been fully restored.

The president reaffirmed his intent to pay an early visit to South Asia.