As Britain prepares to mark Armistice Day on November 11 commemorating the centenary of the end of World War I in 1918, the British Prime Minister Theresa May has promised to wear a red khadi poppy as a sign of respect for Indian soldiers.

She was responding to a comment made by the Tory chairman of the Commons foreign affairs select committee Tom Tugendhat, who explained why this year he would be absent from the traditional wreath laying ceremony in his own constituency, Tonbridge and Malling.

Addressing the Prime Minister during exchanges in the Commons on Wednesday, Tugendhat, a former soldier himself, said: “Will my right hon. Friend join me, when she goes to the Cenotaph next Sunday, in paying tribute not only to our own war dead from this country, but to the 3 million who came from the Commonwealth to serve in the cause of freedom? I will, sadly, not be in Tonbridge this weekend; I will be laying a wreath in Delhi, paying my own tribute — and, I know, paying tribute on behalf of the whole House — to those who suffered and died.”

He added: “Will the Prime Minister join me also in wearing a khadi poppy at some point, the reason for which is that the homespun cotton remembers Gandhi’s and India’s contribution to the effort? It is a vital reminder to all of us here of our links around the world, but particularly to India.”

The idea of the khadi poppy is that of Jitesh Gadhia, a young Tory MP, who has succeeded in getting the Royal British Legion to endorse his idea.

Some historians now acknowledge that without the help of the estimated 1.5 million Indian soldiers, Britain might well have struggled to defeat Germany. Indian historian Kusoom Vadgama told The Telegraph: “We would be speaking German in this country.”

The Prime Minister, who was clearly expecting Tugendhat’s question, responded: “I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the vital contribution that was made by soldiers from around the Commonwealth — he has highlighted particularly those from India. I also pay tribute to him for his own military service.

“We must never forget that over 74,000 soldiers came from undivided India and lost their lives—eleven of them won the Victoria Cross for their outstanding bravery—and he will know they played a crucial role in the war.”

“I would also like to congratulate the Royal British Legion and Lord Gadhia on their efforts in recognising this contribution with the special khadi poppy, honouring the sacrifice of everyone who served a century ago.”

She promised: “I am certainly interested in wearing a khadi poppy at some stage over the period as we lead up to Armistice Day.”

On this occasion she was wearing a red ceramic poppy, although she noted that Valerie Vaz, shadow leader of the Commons and Keith Vaz’s younger sister, sitting opposite was wearing a khadi poppy.

May said: “It is very important, at this centenary, that we all recognise and that younger generations understand the immense sacrifice that was made for their freedom.”