This is about a new PM’s relation with another leader, not about talks on Kashmir: Omar Abdullah

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said he was glad that Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif has accepted the invitation to attend Narendra Modi's oath-taking ceremony as Prime Minister and hoped that this would mark a new beginning in Indo-Pak relations.

"Very glad to hear Pak PM has accepted invite, shows that he can prevail over forces inimical to good relations with India," Omar wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.com.

Abdullah said the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be closely watching the developments.

"I hope that this will mark a new beginning in ties between our two countries. The people of J&K will be watching closely," he said.

However, he added, "This is not about talks on Kashmir, this is about a new PM setting a new relation with another leader."

This is not about talks on Kashmir, this is about a new PM setting a new relation with another leader: Omar Abdullah

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 24, 2014

The Chief Minister also opined that the Modi-Sharif handshake will overshadow the presence of other foreign dignitaries attending Modi's swearing in ceremony on Monday.

"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 said.

A spokesperson of the Pakistan Prime Minister Office and Foreign Ministry on Saturday confirmed that Sharif will travel to Delhi to attend Modi's oath taking ceremony on Monday.