Britain entering the Kashmir dispute without being asked would "smack of neo-imperialism" and appear arrogant, MPs have been told.

Conservative former coalition minister Greg Baker warned against the UK offering advice or assistance unless an invitation is extended to the country, adding it was "slightly offensive" to assume Britain should be involved.

The Kashmir region in the northern Himalayas is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both.

Two of the three wars the countries have fought since their independence from Britain in 1947 have been over control of the region.

Relations between India and Pakistan are said to have improved in recent years.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg told the Times of India last month that Britain does not want to be a mediator between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.

He insisted only talks between India and Pakistan could resolve the dispute.

But Liberal Democrat David Ward told the Commons that while he agreed with Mr Clegg's view - and he had never suggested Britain acts as mediator - an offer of help to resolve the conflict should be forthcoming.

Launching a Westminster Hall debate on the political and humanitarian situation in Kashmir, Bradford East MP Mr Ward said today: "I have no qualms, to be honest, about raising the issue of Kashmir in this Parliament.

"There is - and we cannot escape it - a British legacy here and I think we have a responsibility, not so much a right but an obligation to take an interest in Kashmir. I really do.

"And beyond that, not just a mild interest from a distance, but to actually offer help to resolve the conflict.

"I do not take the view that Britain is interfering. I believe we're highlighting the importance of resolving the issue, if that ever needs to be done, for all inhabitants of the region - not one side, not the other but all inhabitants and ultimately to consider the propensity for terrorist acts to be undertaken anywhere in the world.

"Anywhere in the world as a result of conflict in one part of the world certainly makes it of interest to us as well."

As Mr Ward continued with speech, Mr Baker (Bexhill and Battle) intervened to say: "Given Britain's legacy in India I have to say I find the assumption or presumption that somehow we should have a role to play actually slightly offensive.

"I think it smacks of neo-imperialism, I think it's arrogant and I think we should respect the extraordinary achievements of India since 1947 and the fact that Britain has a role to play if and only when our advice or assistance is sought and clearly in this case it's not."

Mr Ward replied: "Well, that's one view. I believe we have a role to play and our task is to find the role could be."

Conservative Steve Baker (Wycombe) added to Mr Ward: "I'm rather reluctant to help you out but on this particular point, British Kashmiris are no more likely to ignore the issue of Kashmir than were Irish Americans likely to ignore the issue of Northern Ireland.

"We should just simply accept that (as) a representative democracy, there's an absolute need for us to listen to our thousands of constituents and represent their views."

Mr Ward replied: "The deep concern I have in response to you is that my doubt is whether some people want to get a solution, whether they actually want a solution to this."

Labour's Barry Gardiner (Brent North) said it is disingenuous for MPs to claim they have a role Kashmiri affairs as there would be outrage if the Indian parliament passed judgment on the Scottish independence referendum.

He said: "In exactly a week's time Scotland will be going to the polls in a referendum to decide the future of our country.

"The debate has been hotly contested and not without ill-temper.

"But imagine the outrage on both sides of the debate if the Indian parliament were today debating the merits or demerits of independence and passing judgment about what we in the United Kingdom see as a matter for us and a matter for us and for us alone to decide."

Mr Gardiner said there is a signed agreement between India and Pakistan to resolve the issue bilaterally without interference.

He said: "India and Pakistan have both signed this agreement and therefore it is disingenuous for any politician here to claim that this is somehow a matter where they have a legitimate role or voice."

Mr Gardiner said Britain's focus should be on helping to alleviate the humanitarian crisis caused by severe flooding in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said: "It's right that peace in the subcontinent over the issue of Jammu and Kashmir will only come when the people living on both sides of the line of control see their quality of life and standard of living improve.

"With this in mind I think it ill-judged for British politicians to be debating the history and status of a people who are currently facing the most devastating floods in years.

"Attention should surely be on the human plight of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the humanitarian crisis of the people affected by the bursting of the banks of the Jhelum river."