India, Sept. 16 -- Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday said the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would require sustained dialogue and persuasion with the Centre, rather than confrontation.

Asked about the roadmap that the government should adopt for it, Bukhari said, "There is only one way forward on the restoration of statehood, and that is dialogue. There is no other way."

Opposing the path of confrontation, he said, "J-K has seen enough confrontation since 1947. You have to convince, you have an argument. It may not be easy, but Delhi has to be convinced and we have an argument."

Bukhari referred to the historical status of Jammu and Kashmir, saying, "We are a 200-year-old state."

He also referred to the re...