Priti Patel, a British MP of Indian origin who has been appointed "Indian Diaspora Champion" by Prime Minister David Cameron, on Tuesday issued a statement explaining her non-participation in the debate on Kashmir held in the British parliament on 11 September 2014.
A report by Ray, an international news agency, had last week highlighted that a majority of British MPs of Indian descent, including Patel, were either absent or did not partake in the debate, which was intended to embarrass India.
In her statement, Ms Patel told Asian Voice: "While I would have been proud to represent the views of the British Indian community, longstanding parliamentary protocol prevented me from doing so." She explained she was not able to take part because of her position as exchequer secretary to the Treasury.
As for her position on Kashmir, she stated: "Any political change affecting the Jammu and Kashmir region is entirely for the local people and the Indian and Pakistani authorities to determine."
