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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 Welcomed as a "Welcome Development to the World"

Starmer remarked that the initial stage of the agreement would be a "relief to the world" and noted that the United Kingdom had played its own role behind the scenes with the United States and negotiators.

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

Peace Prize Inquiry Answered

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

"What matters now is to move forward and implement this ... my attention 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 told reporters at a press conference in Mumbai.

Trade and Investment Revealed During India Visit

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

• No 10 has announced a range of financial commitments, from fintech to university campuses, as well as the making of three Bollywood films in the UK.
• On Thursday, the Prime Minister signed a defence deal worth £350m for UK missiles, produced in the UK region, to be used by the Indian military.

"Our history together is deep, the personal ties between our people are exceptionally strong," Starmer said as he departed Mumbai. "Expanding upon our landmark agreement, we are reinventing this partnership for our era."

Digital ID Initiative Examined

The Prime Minister has spent time in Mumbai studying the national digital identification program, including consulting key figures who designed the widespread system used by over a billion individuals for benefits, payments, and identification.

He suggested that the UK was considering expanding the application of digital ID beyond making it mandatory to verify eligibility to work. He indicated that the UK would in time look at linking it to financial and payments systems – on a voluntary basis – as well as for administrative tasks such as home loan and educational enrollments.

"It's been taken up on a optional basis [in India] in massive scale, partly because it means that you can retrieve your own funds, make payments so much more conveniently than is available with alternative methods," he explained.

"The efficiency with which it allows citizens here to utilize facilities, especially banking options, is something that was acknowledged in our talks yesterday, and actually a Fintech conversation that we had today. So we're looking at those examples of how digital ID assists individuals with processes that often take too long 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 plummeted in public approval since Starmer proposed them.

"In my view now we need to go out and advocate for the huge benefits ... And I believe that the greater number of individuals see the benefits that come with this ... as has happened in different nations, citizens say: 'That will make my life easier,' and therefore I want to proceed with it," he stated.

Rights Issues and Global Affairs Addressed

Starmer confirmed he had raised a number of difficult topics with the Indian premier regarding human rights and relations with the Russian Federation, though he appeared to have made little headway. Starmer acknowledged that he and Modi discussed how India was continuing to buy oil from Russia, which is facing widespread western sanctions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the priority on resolving this situation and the various steps will be taken to that purpose," he said. "And that was a wide range of dialogue, but we outlined the actions that we are undertaking in relation to energy."

Starmer also mentioned he had brought up the situation of the British Sikh activist Jagtar Singh Johal, from Scotland, who has been held in an Indian jail for nearly eight years without facing a complete legal process. It is often cited as one of the most egregious cases of injustice among Britons currently detained abroad.

But, he did not indicate much progress had been achieved. "Indeed, we brought up the diplomatic matters," he stated. "We consistently address them when we have the opportunity to do so. I should say that the foreign secretary is meeting the families in coming weeks, as well as discussing it now."

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 improve diplomatic ties between the United Kingdom and China.

This bilateral connection is receiving attention because of the collapse of a espionage investigation, said to have happened because the UK has been unwilling to provide new proof that China is considered a security risk.

Starmer clarified the United Kingdom was keen to pursue other trading relationships but emphasized that a trade deal with the nation 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 are able, challenge where we must, and this has been the ongoing approach of the administration in relation to China."