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Keir Starmer has asserted that the truce deal in Gaza "could not have happened without the leadership of Donald Trump," but avoided supporting the US president for a Nobel Prize.

Ceasefire Deal Hailed as a "Welcome Development to the Globe"

Starmer commented that the first phase of the agreement would be a "relief to the world" and highlighted that the UK had contributed significantly behind the scenes with the United States and mediators.

Speaking on the final day of his trade visit to India, the British leader emphasized that the agreement "needs to be put into action in full, without delay, and paired with the immediate lifting of all limitations on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Question Addressed

But, when questioned if the Nobel prize committee should at this time award Donald Trump the prestigious award, Starmer suggested that time was needed to determine if a longer lasting peace could be attained.

"The priority now is to move forward and execute this ... my attention now is transitioning this from the phase it's at now ... and make a success of this, because that is important to me above all," he told reporters at a press conference in India's financial capital.

Business Deals Announced During Trip to India

The Prime Minister has hailed a series of agreements finalized during his tour to the country – his first time there – joined by 126 business leaders and cultural leaders. The trip signifies the passing of the two nations' free trade agreement.

• The UK government has unveiled a slew of investments, from fintech to higher education facilities, as well as the production of multiple Indian movies in the United Kingdom.
• On Thursday, Starmer signed a defence deal worth £350 million for UK missiles, produced in Northern Ireland, to be deployed by the Indian military.

"Our history together is profound, the personal ties between our people are exceptionally strong," Starmer said as he departed Mumbai. "Building on our historic trade deal, we are reinventing this partnership for our era."

Digital ID System Examined

Starmer has spent time in India analyzing the Indian digital ID system, including meeting principal architects who designed the comprehensive platform used by more than 1 billion people for benefits, transactions, and verification.

He hinted that the United Kingdom was interested in expanding the application of digital ID beyond making it compulsory to prove rights to work. He indicated that the UK would in time look at connecting it to banking and transaction networks – on a optional basis – as well as for official procedures such as home loan and educational enrollments.

"It's been taken up on a optional basis [in India] in huge numbers, partly because it ensures that you can access your own money, make payments so much more easily than is available with alternative methods," he explained.

"The speed with which it enables residents here to access services, especially financial services, is something that was recognized in our discussions recently, and in fact a Fintech conversation that we had today. So we're looking at those examples of how digital identification helps individuals with procedures that often take excessive time and are too cumbersome and makes them easier for them."

Public Support for Changes

The Prime Minister admitted that the administration had to make the case for the initiatives to the British public, which have declined sharply in public approval since he announced them.

"In my view now we need to go out and advocate for the huge benefits ... And I think that the greater number of individuals see the benefits that accompany this ... as has happened in different nations, people say: 'That will make my life easier,' and consequently I want to proceed with it," he stated.

Human Rights and International Relations Addressed

Starmer confirmed he had raised a number of difficult topics with the Indian premier regarding civil liberties and relations with the Russian Federation, though he appeared to have made minimal progress. Starmer acknowledged that he and Modi talked about how the country was continuing to buy oil from Russia, which is subject to extensive international restrictions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the priority on ending this situation and the various steps will be implemented to that purpose," he said. "This included a wide range of discussion, but we did set out the steps that we are undertaking in relation to energy."

The Prime Minister also mentioned he had raised the case of the British Sikh activist the individual, from Dumbarton, who has been detained in an Indian jail for nearly eight years without facing a complete legal process. It is often cited as one of the most egregious cases of injustice among UK nationals still held overseas.

But, he did not indicate much advancement had been made. "Indeed, we did raise the consular cases," he said. "We always raise them when we have the chance to do so. I should say that the top diplomat is scheduled to meet the families in coming weeks, as well as discussing it now."

Future Plans

The prime minister is largely anticipated to take a similar trade-focused visit to the People's Republic of China in the next 12 months as part of a effort to improve relations between the United Kingdom and China.

That relationship is receiving attention because of the collapse of a Chinese spying case, said to have happened because the UK has been unwilling to provide new proof that the country is considered a security risk.

The Prime Minister clarified the UK was keen to pursue additional commercial partnerships but stated that a trade deal with China was not currently planned. "That's not on our list, for a trade deal as such, but our stance is to work together where we are able, challenge where we need to, and that's been the ongoing approach of the government in regarding China."