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

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

Starmer remarked that the initial stage of the deal 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, the British leader emphasized that the deal "needs to be put into action in full, without postponement, and paired with the prompt removal of all restrictions on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Nobel Prize Inquiry Answered

However, when questioned if the Nobel committee should now award Trump the prestigious award, the Prime Minister implied that more time was needed to determine if a durable peace could be achieved.

"The priority now is to press on and execute this ... my attention now is transitioning this from the phase 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 Mumbai.

Business Deals Announced During Trip to India

Starmer has celebrated a number of deals finalized during his tour to the country – his first time there – joined by over a hundred executives and arts figures. The visit signifies the passing of the two nations' trade pact.

• No 10 has announced a slew of investments, from fintech to university campuses, as well as the production of multiple Indian movies in the UK.
• On Thursday, Starmer signed a defence deal worth £350 million for UK missiles, manufactured in Northern Ireland, to be used by the Indian military.

"Our history together is deep, the personal ties between our citizens are truly special," Starmer remarked as he departed the city. "Building on our landmark agreement, we are reinventing this alliance for our era."

Digital ID System Examined

Starmer has dedicated time in India studying the national digital identification program, including consulting key figures who developed the comprehensive platform used by over a billion individuals for benefits, payments, and identification.

He suggested that the UK was interested in broadening the application of digital identification beyond making it compulsory to prove rights to work. He indicated that the Britain would in time look at linking it to financial and transaction networks – on a voluntary basis – as well as for official procedures such as mortgage and school applications.

"It has been adopted on a optional basis [in India] in massive scale, partly because it means that you can access your own funds, conduct transactions so much more conveniently than is possible with alternative methods," he noted.

"The efficiency with which it allows residents here to access services, particularly banking options, is something that was acknowledged in our talks recently, and actually a financial technology conversation that we had today. So we're looking at those examples of how digital ID assists individuals with processes that sometimes take too long and are overly complex and makes them easier for them."

Public Support for Reforms

Starmer admitted that the government had to build public support for the initiatives to the British public, which have plummeted in public approval since he proposed 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 positive outcomes that come with this ... as has occurred in other countries, people say: 'That will make my life easier,' and therefore I want to proceed with it," he affirmed.

Human Rights and International Relations Addressed

Starmer confirmed he had brought up a number of difficult topics with the Indian leader regarding civil liberties and relations with Russia, though he appeared to have made minimal progress. Starmer acknowledged that he and Prime Minister Modi talked about how the country was continuing to buy Russian oil, which is facing widespread western sanctions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the focus on ending this situation and the various steps will be taken to that end," he commented. "And that was a broad spectrum of dialogue, but we outlined the actions that we are taking in regarding energy."

Starmer also said he had brought up the case of the British Sikh activist the individual, from Dumbarton, who has been detained in an Indian prison for almost a decade without undergoing a complete legal process. It is frequently mentioned as one of the most egregious cases of injustice among UK nationals still held overseas.

However, he did not indicate much progress had been achieved. "Yes, we did raise the consular cases," he stated. "We consistently address them when we have the opportunity to do so. I must add that the top diplomat is meeting the families in coming weeks, as well as discussing it now."

Future Plans

The prime minister is widely expected to take a comparable trade-focused trip to China in the coming year as part of a mission to ease relations between the United Kingdom and the Asian nation.

That relationship is receiving attention because of the dismissal of a Chinese spying case, reportedly occurring because the British authorities has been reluctant to provide fresh evidence that the country is considered a threat.

Starmer clarified the United Kingdom was keen to pursue other trading relationships but stated that a trade deal with the nation was not currently planned. "That's not on our list, for a bilateral pact as such, but our position is to work together where we can, challenge where we need to, and this has been the consistent policy of the government in relation to China."