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Keir Starmer has asserted that the Gaza ceasefire agreement "would not have occurred without President Trump's leadership," but stopped short of supporting the US president for a Nobel peace prize.

Ceasefire Deal Welcomed as a "Relief to the Globe"

The prime minister commented that the first phase of the agreement would be a "welcome news globally" and highlighted that the UK had played its own role in private discussions with the US and negotiators.

Speaking on the last day of his business trip to India, 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 critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Inquiry Answered

But, when asked if the Nobel committee should at this time award Trump the coveted prize, the Prime Minister implied that more time was needed to determine if a durable peace could be attained.

"What matters now is to press on and implement this ... my focus now is transitioning this from the phase it's at now ... and make a success of this, because that matters to me more than anything else," he stated at a press conference in Mumbai.

Trade and Investment Announced During Trip to India

The Prime Minister has celebrated a series of agreements finalized during his visit to India – his maiden visit there – accompanied by over a hundred executives and cultural leaders. The visit marks the passing of the two nations' free trade agreement.

• The UK government has announced a range of financial commitments, from financial technology to higher education facilities, as well as the production of multiple Indian movies in the UK.
• On Thursday, Starmer finalized a military agreement worth £350 million for UK missiles, manufactured in Northern Ireland, to be used by the Indian military.

"Our history together is profound, the human connections between our citizens are truly special," Starmer said as he departed the city. "Expanding upon our historic trade deal, we are remaking this partnership for our times."

Digital Identification Initiative Examined

Starmer has dedicated time in India studying the national digital identification program, including consulting principal architects who developed the widespread system utilized by over a billion individuals for benefits, transactions, and verification.

He hinted that the UK was considering broadening the application of digital identification beyond making it compulsory to prove rights to work. He indicated that the UK would in time look at connecting it to financial and payments systems – on a voluntary basis – as well as for official procedures such as mortgage and school applications.

"It's been taken up on a voluntary basis [in India] in massive scale, not least because it means that you can access your own funds, make payments so much more easily than is possible with alternative methods," he noted.

"The speed with which it enables residents here to utilize facilities, particularly financial services, is something that was recognized in our discussions yesterday, and actually a Fintech discussion that we had today. So we're looking at those instances of how digital ID helps people with processes that often take excessive time and are overly complex and makes them easier for them."

Popular Backing for Changes

The Prime Minister acknowledged that the government had to build public support for the initiatives to the UK citizens, which have declined sharply in popularity since Starmer announced them.

"I think now we need to go out and advocate for the significant advantages ... And I believe that the greater number of individuals see the positive outcomes that accompany this ... as has happened in other countries, citizens say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and consequently I want to proceed with it," he stated.

Rights Issues and International Relations Addressed

Starmer said he had raised a number of difficult topics with the Indian premier regarding civil liberties and ties with Russia, though he appeared to have made little headway. He confirmed that he and Modi talked about how the country was persisting to purchase Russian oil, which is subject to widespread western sanctions.

"For both Prime Minister Modi and me the focus on ending this situation and the various steps will be taken to that end," he commented. "This included a wide range of discussion, but we did set out the steps that we are undertaking in regarding energy."

Starmer additionally mentioned he had brought up the situation of the UK-based activist the individual, from Scotland, who has been held in an Indian prison for almost a decade without undergoing a complete legal process. It is frequently mentioned as one of the worst examples of unfair treatment among Britons currently detained abroad.

However, Starmer did not suggest much advancement had been achieved. "Yes, we brought up the consular cases," he stated. "We consistently address them when we have the chance to do so. I must add that the top diplomat is meeting the families in the near future, as well as discussing it today."

Future Plans

The prime minister is widely expected to take a similar business-oriented visit to China in the coming year as part of a effort to ease diplomatic ties between the UK and the Asian nation.

This bilateral connection is receiving attention because of the collapse of a Chinese spying case, said to have happened because the British authorities has been unwilling to provide new proof that the country is considered a threat.

Starmer clarified the United Kingdom was eager to pursue additional commercial partnerships but emphasized that a trade deal with China was not on the agenda. "That's not on our list, for a trade deal as such, but our position is to work together where we are able, confront where we must, and this has been the consistent policy of the administration in regarding China."