Indian-origin British MP defends non-participation in Kashmir debate

London, Sep 16 (IANS/RAY) Priti Patel, a British MP of Indian-origin who has been appointed "Indian Diaspora Champion" by British Prime Minister David Cameron, Tuesday defended her non-participation in last week's Kashmir debate in the British parliament.

"While I would have been proud to represent the views of the British Indian community, longstanding parliamentary protocol prevented me from doing so," said Patel in a statement while explaining that it was her position as exchequer secretary to the Treasury due to which she could not participate in it.

As for her position on Kashmir, she said: "Any political change affecting the Jammu and Kashmir region is entirely for the local people and the Indian and Pakistani authorities to determine."

This echoed the British foreign office stance and clearly did not reflect the views of the British Indian community, which she in the same statement said she would have been proud to represent.

A majority of British MPs of Indian descent, including Patel, were either absent or did not partake in the Sep 11 debate which was intended to embarrass India.

--IANS/RAY

Ray/sd