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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 US president for a Nobel Prize.

Ceasefire Deal Hailed as a "Relief to the World"

The prime minister remarked that the first phase of the agreement would be a "relief to the world" and highlighted that the United Kingdom had played its own role behind the scenes with the United States and mediators.

Speaking on the last day of his trade visit to India, Starmer stressed that the agreement "must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Nobel Prize Question Answered

But, when questioned if the Nobel committee should at this time award Donald Trump the coveted award, Starmer suggested that more time was needed to determine if a longer lasting peace could be achieved.

"What matters now is to press on and implement 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 press conference in India's financial capital.

Business Deals Announced During India Visit

Starmer has hailed a number of deals sealed during his visit to India – his maiden visit there – joined by over a hundred executives and arts figures. The trip marks the passing of the countries' trade pact.

• No 10 has announced a slew of investments, from fintech to higher education facilities, as well as the production of multiple Indian movies in the United Kingdom.
• On Thursday, Starmer finalized a military agreement worth £350 million for UK missiles, produced in Northern Ireland, to be deployed by the Indian army.

"Our history together is deep, the personal ties between our citizens are exceptionally strong," Starmer remarked as he departed the city. "Building on our historic trade deal, we are remaking this alliance for our times."

Digital Identification System Studied

The Prime Minister has dedicated time in India studying the national digital identification program, including meeting key figures who developed the widespread system used by more than 1 billion people for social services, payments, and identification.

The prime minister hinted that the UK was interested in broadening the application of digital ID beyond making it mandatory to verify eligibility to work. He proposed that the UK would in time look at connecting it to financial and transaction networks – on a optional basis – as well as for official procedures such as mortgage and school applications.

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

"The speed with which it allows citizens here to access services, particularly financial services, is something that was recognized in our discussions yesterday, and actually a Fintech conversation that we had today. So we're looking at those instances of how digital ID assists people with procedures that sometimes take too long and are too cumbersome and makes them easier for them."

Public Support for Reforms

Starmer admitted that the administration had to build public support for the reforms to the British public, which have plummeted in public approval since Starmer proposed them.

"I think now we need to go out and make that case the huge benefits ... And I believe that the more people see the benefits that accompany this ... as has occurred in other countries, people say: 'That will make my life easier,' and therefore I want to proceed with it," he stated.

Human Rights and International Relations Addressed

Starmer said he had raised a range of challenging issues with the Indian premier regarding human rights and ties with the Russian Federation, though he seemed to have made minimal progress. He confirmed that he and Modi discussed how the country was persisting to buy Russian oil, which is subject to extensive international restrictions.

"For both Prime Minister Modi and me the focus on ending this conflict and the various steps will be taken to that end," he commented. "This included a broad spectrum of dialogue, but we did set out the steps that we are taking in relation to energy."

The Prime Minister additionally mentioned he had brought up the situation of the British Sikh activist Jagtar Singh Johal, from Scotland, who has been held in an Indian prison for nearly eight years without undergoing a complete legal process. It is often cited as one of the worst examples of injustice among UK nationals still held overseas.

But, he did not indicate much progress had been made. "Yes, we did raise the diplomatic matters," he stated. "We consistently address them when we have the chance to do so. I should say that the top diplomat is scheduled to meet the relatives in the near future, as well as raising it today."

Upcoming Initiatives

The prime minister is largely anticipated to take a comparable business-oriented 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 the country is deemed a threat.

The Prime Minister said the United Kingdom was eager to explore additional commercial partnerships but stated 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 can, confront where we must, and this has been the ongoing approach of the administration in regarding China."