'Magnificent Delusions' author denies reports of US offer to Pak for mediation in Kashmir talks

A professor of International Relations at Boston University, Husain Haqqani, has denied reports of his book 'Magnificent Delusions' having any reference to a United States offer made to Pakistan to mediate in negotiations with India over the disputed Kashmir border.

Haqqani has blamed media reports for mischaracterizing his account of the letter sent by President Barack Obama to his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari seeking a major reversal of its policy over Jihadi groups to bring an end to terrorism in South Asia.

A senior fellow at Hudson Institute, Haqqani, stated that his book is a fact-based account supported by official documents.

He claimed that by criticizing his book, some people are trying to manufacture a controversy over the Kashmir talks.

Obama also said that he would encourage the two South Asian neighbours to negotiate over their respective positions on Kashmir, anticipating a Pakistani response that the Jihadis are only seeking a settlement of outstanding disputes, Haqqani added.

He said that nowhere in his book has he mentioned that the U.S. sought to secure a Kashmir settlement favorable to Pakistan and he clearly pointed out that the U.S. did not guarantee any outcome of the Kashmir talks.