Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday expressed happiness over the news of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accepting India's invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, and said Sharif's decision shows that he can prevail over forces inimical to having good relations with India.
"Very glad to hear Pak PM has accepted invite, shows that he can prevail over forces inimical to good relations with India. I hope that this will mark a new beginning in ties between our two countries. The people of J and K will be watching closely," Omar tweeted.
"Can't help feel sorry for others taking oath or attending, because, the only photo op that will matter now will be the Modi-Sharif handshake," he further tweeted.
Sharif has accepted India's invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Modi on Monday evening.
Television channels had earlier quoted Sharif's media advisor Tariq Azim, as saying that Sharif will fly to New Delhi for the event.
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Pakistan Foreign Minister Sartaz Aziz is also expected to accompany him.
Nawaz Sharif will also call on President Pranab Mukherjee during his visit to Delhi and hold bilateral talks with Modi on the sidelines of the oath-taking ceremony, according to Pakistan Government sources.
India has invited leaders of all South Asian countries, including Nawaz Sharif to Modi's oath-taking ceremony scheduled for May 26.
The swearing-in ceremony, to be held at the forecourt of the historic Rashtrapati Bhavan, is likely to be attended by as many as 3,000 guests, the report added.
