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Keir Starmer has asserted that the truce deal in Gaza "could not have happened without the leadership of Donald Trump," but stopped short of supporting the US president for a Nobel peace prize.

Truce Agreement 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 UK had contributed significantly in private discussions with the United States and negotiators.

Addressing the media on the last day of his trade visit to India, Starmer emphasized that the agreement "needs to be put into action in full, without delay, and accompanied by the prompt removal of all limitations on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Nobel Prize Question Answered

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

"What matters now is to move forward and execute this ... my attention now is moving this from the phase it's at now ... and make a success of this, because that is important to me above all," he stated at a press conference in India's financial capital.

Business Deals Announced During Trip to India

Starmer has hailed a series of agreements finalized during his visit to India – his first time there – accompanied by 126 business leaders and arts figures. The visit signifies the passing of the countries' trade pact.

• The UK government has unveiled a range of financial commitments, from fintech to university campuses, as well as the production of multiple Indian movies in the United Kingdom.
• On Thursday, Starmer signed a defence deal worth £350m for UK missiles, manufactured in the UK region, to be used by the Indian army.

"Our history together is deep, the personal ties between our citizens are exceptionally strong," Starmer remarked as he left the city. "Expanding upon our landmark agreement, we are remaking this partnership for our era."

Digital ID System Studied

Starmer has spent time in Mumbai analyzing the national digital identification program, including consulting principal architects who developed the comprehensive platform used by more than 1 billion people for benefits, payments, and verification.

The prime minister hinted that the UK was considering expanding the application of digital ID beyond making it compulsory to prove rights to work. He proposed that the Britain would in time look at connecting it to financial and payments systems – on a optional basis – as well as for administrative tasks such as mortgage and educational enrollments.

"It has been adopted on a voluntary basis [in India] in huge numbers, partly because it means that you can retrieve your own funds, make payments so much more easily than is possible with alternative methods," he explained.

"The speed with which it enables residents here to access services, particularly financial services, is something that was acknowledged in our discussions recently, and actually a financial technology discussion that we had as well. So we're examining those examples of how digital identification assists individuals with procedures that often take too long and are too cumbersome and makes them easier for them."

Public Support for Reforms

The Prime Minister admitted that the government had to build public support 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 make that case the huge benefits ... And I think that the more people see the benefits that accompany this ... as has happened in different nations, people say: 'That will make my life easier,' and consequently I want to proceed with it," he stated.

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 ties with the Russian Federation, though he appeared to have made minimal progress. Starmer acknowledged that he and Modi talked about how India was persisting to purchase oil from Russia, which is facing extensive international restrictions.

"For both Prime Minister Modi and me the priority on resolving this conflict and the multiple measures will be taken to that purpose," he said. "And that was a broad spectrum of dialogue, but we outlined the steps that we are taking in relation to energy."

The Prime Minister also said he had brought up the case of the British Sikh activist Jagtar Singh Johal, from Scotland, who has been detained in an Indian prison for nearly eight years without undergoing a full trial. It is frequently mentioned as one of the worst examples of unfair treatment among UK nationals still held abroad.

But, Starmer did not indicate much progress had been achieved. "Indeed, we did raise the consular cases," he stated. "We consistently address them when we have the chance to do so. I should say that the top diplomat is meeting the relatives in coming weeks, as well as discussing it now."

Upcoming Initiatives

The prime minister is largely anticipated to take a similar business-oriented visit to the People's Republic of China in the next 12 months as part of a mission to improve diplomatic ties between the UK and the Asian nation.

That relationship is under the spotlight because of the collapse of a espionage investigation, reportedly occurring because the British authorities has been unwilling to provide fresh evidence that the country is deemed a security risk.

The Prime Minister clarified the United Kingdom was eager to explore additional commercial partnerships but emphasized that a commercial agreement with China was not on the agenda. "It is not a priority, for a trade deal as such, but our position is to work together where we can, challenge where we need to, and this has been the ongoing approach of the government in regarding China."