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The Prime Minister has stated that the Gaza ceasefire agreement "would not have occurred without the leadership of Donald Trump," but stopped short of endorsing the US president for a Nobel peace prize.

Truce Agreement Hailed as a "Welcome Development to the Globe"

Starmer commented that the initial stage of the agreement would be a "relief to the world" and highlighted that the United Kingdom had contributed significantly in private discussions with the US and negotiators.

Addressing the media on the final day of his business trip to the Indian subcontinent, Starmer emphasized that the agreement "needs to be put into action in full, without postponement, and paired with the immediate lifting of all limitations on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Inquiry Answered

But, when asked if the Nobel committee should at this time grant Donald Trump the coveted award, Starmer suggested that more time was needed to determine if a longer lasting peace could be achieved.

"What matters now is to move forward and implement this ... my attention now is moving this from the stage it's at now ... and make a success of this, because that matters to me above all," he stated at a media briefing in India's financial capital.

Business Deals Revealed During India Visit

The Prime Minister has celebrated a number of deals sealed during his tour to the country – his first time there – joined by over a hundred executives and cultural leaders. The trip signifies the passing of the countries' free trade agreement.

• No 10 has announced a range of financial commitments, from financial technology to university campuses, as well as the making of three Bollywood films in the United Kingdom.
• On the final day, Starmer finalized a military agreement worth £350 million for British-made missiles, manufactured in Northern Ireland, to be used by the Indian military.

"Our history together is deep, the human connections between our people are exceptionally strong," he remarked as he left Mumbai. "Building on our landmark agreement, we are remaking this partnership for our times."

Digital ID Initiative Studied

Starmer has dedicated time in India studying the Indian digital ID system, including consulting key figures who designed the comprehensive platform utilized by over a billion individuals for social services, transactions, and identification.

The prime minister hinted that the United Kingdom was considering expanding the scope of digital identification beyond making it compulsory to prove rights to work. He proposed that the UK would in time look at linking it to banking and transaction networks – on a optional basis – as well as for official procedures such as home loan and school applications.

"It's been taken up on a optional basis [in India] in huge numbers, not least because it means that you can access your own money, conduct transactions so much more easily than is available with alternative methods," he noted.

"The efficiency with which it allows residents here to utilize facilities, particularly financial services, is something that was acknowledged in our discussions recently, and in fact a Fintech conversation that we had today. So we're looking at those instances of how digital ID helps individuals with processes that sometimes take too long and are overly complex and makes them easier for them."

Public Support for Changes

Starmer admitted that the government had to build public support for the initiatives to the UK citizens, which have plummeted in public approval since he proposed them.

"I think now we need to go out and make that case the huge benefits ... And I think that the more people see the benefits that come with this ... as has happened in different nations, citizens say: 'That will make my life easier,' and consequently I want to get on with it," he stated.

Rights Issues and Global Affairs Addressed

The Prime Minister confirmed he had raised a number of difficult topics with the Indian premier regarding human rights and ties with the Russian Federation, though he appeared to have made minimal progress. Starmer confirmed that he and Modi talked about how the country was continuing to buy Russian oil, which is subject to widespread western sanctions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the priority on resolving this situation and the multiple measures will be taken to that purpose," he said. "This included a wide range of dialogue, but we outlined the steps that we are taking in relation to energy."

The Prime Minister also mentioned he had brought up the case of the UK-based activist the individual, from Dumbarton, who has been detained in an Indian prison for almost a decade without undergoing a full trial. It is often cited as one of the most egregious cases of injustice among UK nationals currently detained abroad.

However, Starmer did not indicate much advancement had been made. "Indeed, we did raise the diplomatic matters," he stated. "We consistently address them when we have the opportunity to do so. I should say that the top diplomat is scheduled to meet the relatives in the near future, as well as discussing it today."

Future Plans

The prime minister is widely expected to take a similar trade-focused visit to China in the next 12 months as part of a mission to ease relations between the UK and the Asian nation.

That relationship is under the spotlight because of the dismissal of a espionage investigation, said to have happened because the British authorities has been unwilling to provide new proof that China is deemed a security risk.

Starmer clarified the United Kingdom was eager to pursue additional commercial partnerships but stated that a commercial agreement with the nation was not on the agenda. "It is not a priority, for a trade deal as such, but our stance is to work together where we are able, challenge where we must, and this has been the ongoing approach of the government in regarding China."