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Keir Starmer has stated that the truce deal in Gaza "would not have occurred without the leadership of Donald Trump," but avoided supporting the American leader for a Nobel Prize.

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

Starmer remarked that the initial stage of the deal would be a "relief to the world" and noted that the UK had contributed significantly behind the scenes with the United States and negotiators.

Addressing the media on the final day of his trade visit to India, the British leader emphasized that the deal "needs to be put into action in full, without postponement, and accompanied by the prompt removal of all limitations on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Nobel Prize Inquiry Addressed

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

"What matters now is to press on and implement this ... my attention now is moving this from the phase it's at now ... and ensure the success of this, because that is important to me more than anything else," he stated at a media briefing in India's financial capital.

Business Deals Announced During Trip to India

The Prime Minister has celebrated a number of deals finalized during his visit to India – his first time there – accompanied by over a hundred executives and arts figures. The trip marks the implementation of the countries' trade pact.

• The UK government has unveiled a slew of investments, from fintech to higher education facilities, as well as the production of multiple Indian movies in the UK.
• On Thursday, Starmer signed a military agreement worth £350 million for British-made missiles, produced in the UK region, to be deployed by the Indian military.

"The shared history is profound, the human connections between our people are exceptionally strong," Starmer said as he departed Mumbai. "Building on our historic trade deal, we are remaking this partnership for our times."

Digital ID System Studied

Starmer has dedicated time in India studying the Indian digital ID system, including consulting principal architects who developed the widespread system used by more than 1 billion people for benefits, payments, and identification.

The prime minister hinted that the UK was considering broadening the scope of digital ID beyond making it mandatory to verify eligibility to work. He proposed that the UK would eventually look at connecting it to banking and payments systems – 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 retrieve your own funds, conduct transactions so much more easily than is available with others," he explained.

"The efficiency with which it enables citizens here to access services, particularly banking options, is something that was acknowledged in our talks yesterday, and in fact a Fintech discussion that we had today. So we're looking at those examples of how digital ID helps individuals with processes that often take excessive time and are too cumbersome and makes them easier for them."

Public Support for Changes

Starmer admitted that the government had to make the case for the initiatives to the British public, which have plummeted in public approval since Starmer announced them.

"In my view now we need to go out and advocate for the huge benefits ... And I think that the more people see the positive outcomes that accompany this ... as has occurred in other countries, people say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and consequently I want to get on with it," he stated.

Rights Issues and International Relations Discussed

The Prime Minister said he had brought up a number of difficult topics with the Indian leader regarding human rights and ties with the Russian Federation, though he appeared to have made little headway. He confirmed that he and Prime Minister Modi discussed how the country was continuing to purchase Russian oil, which is facing widespread western sanctions.

"For both Prime Minister Modi and me the focus on ending this situation and the multiple measures will be taken to that end," he commented. "And that was a broad spectrum of discussion, but we did set out the actions that we are taking in regarding energy."

The Prime Minister also said he had raised the situation of the UK-based activist the individual, from Dumbarton, who has been held in an Indian prison for almost a decade without facing a full trial. It is frequently mentioned as one of the most egregious cases of injustice among Britons still held overseas.

However, Starmer did not suggest much advancement had been made. "Indeed, we brought up the diplomatic matters," he said. "We always raise them when we have the opportunity to do so. I must add that the foreign secretary is scheduled to meet the relatives in coming weeks, as well as discussing it today."

Upcoming Initiatives

Starmer is largely anticipated to take a similar business-oriented visit to China in the next 12 months as part of a effort to ease diplomatic ties between the United Kingdom and China.

That relationship is under the spotlight because of the dismissal of a Chinese spying case, reportedly occurring because the UK has been reluctant to provide new proof that the country is deemed a security risk.

The Prime Minister said the United Kingdom was eager to pursue other trading relationships but stated that a commercial agreement with China was not currently planned. "It is not a priority, for a bilateral pact as such, but our stance is to cooperate where we can, confront where we must, and that's been the consistent policy of the government in regarding China."