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The Prime Minister has stated that the truce deal in Gaza "would not have occurred without the leadership of Donald Trump," yet avoided endorsing the US president for a Nobel Prize.

Ceasefire Deal Welcomed as a "Relief to the Globe"

The prime minister remarked that the first phase of the deal would be a "relief to the world" and highlighted that the United Kingdom had contributed significantly behind the scenes with the United States and mediators.

Speaking on the last day of his trade visit to the Indian subcontinent, the British leader stressed that the deal "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 Inquiry Addressed

But, when questioned if the Nobel committee should now grant Trump the prestigious prize, Starmer implied that time was required to determine if a longer lasting peace could be achieved.

"What matters 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 is important to me above all," he stated at a media briefing in India's financial capital.

Business Deals Announced During India Visit

The Prime Minister has celebrated a series of agreements sealed during his visit to the country – his maiden visit there – joined by 126 business leaders and arts figures. The visit signifies the implementation of the two nations' free trade agreement.

• No 10 has unveiled a slew of investments, from fintech 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 the UK region, to be used by the Indian military.

"The shared history is profound, the personal ties between our people are exceptionally strong," Starmer remarked as he departed the city. "Building on our landmark agreement, we are remaking this partnership for our era."

Digital Identification System Studied

The Prime Minister has spent time in Mumbai analyzing the Indian digital ID system, including meeting key figures who developed the widespread system used by over a billion individuals for benefits, transactions, and verification.

He suggested that the UK was interested in broadening the scope of digital identification beyond making it compulsory to verify eligibility to work. He proposed 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 educational enrollments.

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

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

Public Support for Reforms

The Prime Minister admitted that the administration had to make the case for the reforms to the UK citizens, which have plummeted in popularity since he proposed them.

"In my view now we need to go out and make that case the significant advantages ... And I believe that the more people see the positive outcomes that accompany this ... as has happened 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 Discussed

Starmer said he had raised a range of challenging issues with the Indian leader regarding civil liberties and ties with Russia, though he seemed to have made minimal progress. Starmer acknowledged that he and Prime Minister Modi talked about how the country was continuing to buy oil from Russia, which is facing extensive international restrictions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the priority on ending this conflict and the multiple measures will be implemented to that end," he said. "This included a broad spectrum of dialogue, but we did set out the steps that we are taking in regarding energy."

The Prime Minister also said he had brought up the case of the UK-based activist the individual, from Scotland, who has been detained in an Indian jail for almost a decade without facing a full trial. It is often cited as one of the worst examples of injustice among UK nationals currently detained overseas.

But, he did not indicate much progress had been achieved. "Yes, we brought up the diplomatic matters," he said. "We consistently address them when we have the opportunity to do so. I should say that the foreign secretary is scheduled to meet the relatives in the near future, as well as discussing it now."

Upcoming Initiatives

Starmer is largely anticipated to take a similar trade-focused trip to China in the next 12 months as part of a effort to improve diplomatic ties between the UK and China.

That relationship is receiving attention because of the collapse of a Chinese spying case, said to have happened because the British authorities has been reluctant to provide fresh evidence that China is considered a security risk.

Starmer said the UK was eager to pursue additional commercial partnerships but stated that a commercial agreement with China was not on the agenda. "That's not on our list, for a bilateral pact as such, but our stance is to work together where we are able, confront where we need to, and this has been the consistent policy of the government in regarding China."