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Keir Starmer has asserted that the truce deal in Gaza "could not have happened without the leadership of Donald Trump," yet stopped short of endorsing the US president for a Nobel peace prize.

Ceasefire Deal Welcomed as a "Welcome Development to the World"

The prime minister commented that the first phase of the agreement would be a "welcome news globally" and noted that the UK had contributed significantly in private discussions with the United States and negotiators.

Addressing the media on the last day of his trade visit to the Indian subcontinent, the British leader stressed that the agreement "needs to be put into action in full, without delay, and paired with the prompt removal of all restrictions on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Question Answered

But, when asked if the Nobel prize committee should now award Trump the coveted award, Starmer suggested that time was needed to determine if a longer lasting peace could be attained.

"What matters now is to press on and execute this ... my attention now is transitioning this from the stage it's at now ... and make a success of this, because that matters to me more than anything else," he stated at a media briefing in India's financial capital.

Business Deals Announced During Trip to India

Starmer has celebrated a series of agreements finalized during his tour to the country – his first time there – accompanied by 126 business leaders and cultural leaders. The trip signifies the passing of the countries' free trade agreement.

• The UK government has unveiled a slew of investments, from fintech to university campuses, as well as the production of three Bollywood films in the UK.
• On the final day, Starmer signed a military agreement worth £350m for British-made missiles, manufactured in Northern Ireland, to be used by the Indian military.

"The shared history is profound, the personal ties between our people are truly special," Starmer remarked as he left Mumbai. "Building on our historic trade deal, we are remaking this partnership for our times."

Digital ID Initiative Studied

The Prime Minister has spent time in India studying the Indian digital ID system, including consulting principal architects who designed the comprehensive platform utilized by over a billion individuals for benefits, transactions, and identification.

The prime minister hinted that the UK was considering broadening the application of digital identification beyond making it mandatory to verify eligibility to work. He proposed that the Britain would eventually look at linking it to financial and transaction networks – on a voluntary basis – as well as for official procedures such as mortgage and school applications.

"It has been adopted on a optional basis [in India] in huge numbers, not least because it means that you can retrieve your own funds, make payments so much more easily than is available with alternative methods," he noted.

"The efficiency with which it allows citizens here to utilize facilities, especially banking options, is something that was recognized in our talks yesterday, and in fact a Fintech conversation that we had as well. So we're looking at those instances of how digital ID assists people with processes that sometimes take too long and are overly complex and makes them easier for them."

Public Support for Reforms

The Prime Minister acknowledged that the government had to make the case for the reforms to the British public, which have declined sharply in popularity since Starmer announced them.

"In my view now we need to go out and advocate for the huge benefits ... And I believe that the more people see the benefits that come with this ... as has happened in other countries, citizens say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and therefore I want to proceed with it," he stated.

Human Rights and International Relations Discussed

Starmer said he had brought up a number of difficult topics with the Indian leader regarding human rights and relations with the Russian Federation, though he seemed to have made minimal progress. He confirmed that he and Modi discussed how the country was persisting to purchase oil from Russia, which is subject to widespread western sanctions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the priority on resolving this conflict and the multiple measures will be taken to that purpose," he said. "And that was a broad spectrum of dialogue, but we did set out the actions that we are undertaking in regarding energy."

The Prime Minister additionally mentioned he had brought up the case of the British Sikh activist the individual, from Dumbarton, who has been detained in an Indian prison for nearly eight years without facing a full trial. It is often cited as one of the worst examples of unfair treatment among UK nationals currently detained overseas.

But, Starmer did not indicate much progress had been made. "Indeed, we brought up the consular cases," he stated. "We consistently address them when we have the opportunity to do so. I must add that the top diplomat is meeting the relatives in coming weeks, as well as raising it now."

Future Plans

The prime minister is largely anticipated to take a similar business-oriented trip to the People's Republic of China in the next 12 months as part of a mission to ease diplomatic ties between the UK and China.

This bilateral connection is under the spotlight because of the dismissal of a espionage investigation, said to have happened because the UK has been unwilling to provide fresh evidence that the country is considered a threat.

Starmer said the United Kingdom was keen to explore other trading relationships but emphasized that a commercial agreement with the nation was not currently planned. "It is not a priority, for a trade deal as such, but our stance is to cooperate where we are able, challenge where we must, and that's been the consistent policy of the government in relation to China."