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Keir Starmer has stated that the truce deal in Gaza "would not have occurred without President Trump's leadership," but 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 remarked that the initial stage of the agreement would be a "welcome news globally" and highlighted that the UK had contributed significantly in private discussions with the US and negotiators.

Speaking on the last day of his business trip to the Indian subcontinent, Starmer emphasized that the deal "needs to be put into action in full, without postponement, and paired with the prompt removal of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Question Answered

However, when asked if the Nobel committee should at this time grant Donald Trump the coveted prize, the Prime Minister suggested that time was needed to know if a longer lasting peace could be achieved.

"The priority now is to press on and execute this ... my focus now is moving this from the stage it's at now ... and ensure the success of this, because that matters to me more than anything else," he told reporters at a media briefing in Mumbai.

Business Deals Announced During Trip to India

Starmer has celebrated a series of agreements sealed during his tour to the country – his maiden visit there – joined by over a hundred executives and arts figures. The visit signifies the passing of the two nations' free trade agreement.

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

"Our history together is profound, the personal ties between our citizens are truly special," Starmer said as he departed the city. "Building on our historic trade deal, we are remaking this partnership for our era."

Digital ID System Studied

Starmer has dedicated time in India studying the Indian digital ID system, including consulting key figures who designed the widespread system utilized by more than 1 billion people for benefits, transactions, and identification.

The prime minister suggested that the UK was considering broadening the scope of digital ID beyond making it compulsory to verify eligibility to work. He indicated that the UK would eventually look at linking it to financial and payments systems – on a optional basis – as well as for official procedures such as home loan and educational enrollments.

"It has been adopted on a voluntary basis [in India] in massive scale, partly because it means that you can access your own funds, make payments so much more conveniently than is available with others," he noted.

"The speed with which it enables residents here to utilize facilities, particularly banking options, is something that was recognized in our talks recently, and in fact a financial technology conversation that we had today. So we're looking at those instances of how digital ID helps individuals with processes that sometimes take excessive time and are too cumbersome and makes them easier for them."

Public Support for Changes

Starmer acknowledged that the administration 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 significant advantages ... And I believe that the more people see the benefits that come with this ... as has occurred in other countries, citizens say: 'That will make my life easier,' and consequently I want to get on with it," he affirmed.

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 Russia, though he appeared to have made little headway. Starmer acknowledged that he and Modi talked about how the country was continuing to purchase oil from Russia, which is facing extensive international restrictions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the focus on resolving this situation and the various steps will be taken to that purpose," he said. "This included a broad spectrum of discussion, but we did set out the actions that we are undertaking in regarding energy."

Starmer additionally mentioned he had raised the case of the British Sikh activist the individual, from Dumbarton, who has been detained in an Indian jail for almost a decade without undergoing a complete legal process. It is often cited as one of the most egregious cases of injustice among Britons still held overseas.

However, he did not indicate much advancement had been made. "Indeed, we did raise the diplomatic matters," he said. "We consistently address them when we have the opportunity to do so. I should say that the top diplomat is meeting the families in coming weeks, as well as discussing it today."

Future Plans

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

This bilateral connection is under the spotlight because of the dismissal of a Chinese spying case, said to have happened because the British authorities has been reluctant to provide fresh evidence that the country is considered a security risk.

The Prime Minister said the United Kingdom was keen to explore additional commercial partnerships but emphasized that a trade deal with China was not on the agenda. "That's not on our list, for a bilateral pact as such, but our stance is to cooperate where we can, confront where we need to, and this has been the ongoing approach of the administration in regarding China."