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Keir Starmer has stated that the Gaza ceasefire agreement "would not have occurred without President Trump's leadership," yet avoided supporting the US president for a Nobel peace prize.

Truce Agreement Welcomed as a "Relief to the Globe"

Starmer commented that the first phase of the deal would be a "relief to the world" and noted that the UK had contributed significantly in private discussions with the US and mediators.

Speaking on the final day of his trade visit to India, Starmer stressed that the deal "must now be implemented in full, without delay, and paired with the prompt removal of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Question Addressed

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

"What matters now is to move forward and execute this ... my focus now is moving 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 Trip to India

Starmer has hailed a series of agreements finalized during his visit to the country – his first time there – joined by over a hundred executives and cultural leaders. The visit signifies the implementation of the countries' trade pact.

• The UK government has unveiled a range of financial commitments, from fintech to higher education facilities, 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, produced in the UK region, to be used by the Indian military.

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

Digital ID Initiative Examined

Starmer has spent time in Mumbai analyzing the national digital identification program, including consulting key figures who designed the comprehensive platform utilized by more than 1 billion people for benefits, transactions, and verification.

The prime minister suggested that the UK was considering expanding the scope of digital ID beyond making it compulsory to verify eligibility to work. He proposed that the UK would in time look at connecting it to banking and payments systems – on a optional basis – as well as for official procedures 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 access your own funds, conduct transactions so much more easily than is available with alternative methods," he noted.

"The speed with which it allows residents here to access services, especially financial services, is something that was recognized in our talks recently, and actually a Fintech discussion that we had as well. So we're looking at those examples of how digital ID helps individuals with processes that sometimes take excessive time and are too cumbersome and simplifies them for them."

Popular Backing for Changes

The Prime Minister admitted that the administration had to make the case for the initiatives to the UK citizens, which have declined sharply in public approval since Starmer proposed them.

"In my view now we need to go out and make that case the significant advantages ... And I think that the more people see the positive outcomes that accompany this ... as has happened in other countries, people say: 'That will make my life easier,' and consequently I want to proceed with it," he stated.

Human Rights and Global Affairs Addressed

Starmer said he had brought up a range of challenging issues with the Indian premier regarding civil liberties and ties with the Russian Federation, though he seemed to have made minimal progress. He acknowledged that he and Prime Minister Modi discussed how India was persisting to buy Russian oil, which is facing extensive international restrictions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the focus on ending this conflict and the multiple measures will be taken to that end," he commented. "And that was a wide range of discussion, but we outlined the steps that we are taking in regarding energy."

Starmer additionally said he had raised the case of the UK-based activist the individual, from Scotland, who has been held in an Indian prison for nearly eight years without facing a full trial. It is often cited as one of the worst examples of unfair treatment among Britons still held abroad.

However, Starmer did not suggest much progress had been achieved. "Yes, we did raise the diplomatic matters," he stated. "We consistently address them when we have the opportunity to do so. I should say that the top diplomat is scheduled to meet the families in the near future, as well as discussing it now."

Future Plans

Starmer is widely expected to take a comparable trade-focused trip to the People's Republic of China in the next 12 months as part of a effort to improve diplomatic ties between the United Kingdom and the Asian nation.

That relationship is receiving attention because of the dismissal of a Chinese spying case, said to have happened because the UK has been reluctant to provide new proof that China is considered a threat.

Starmer clarified the UK was eager to pursue other trading relationships but stated that a trade deal with China was not currently planned. "That's not on our list, for a bilateral pact as such, but our stance is to cooperate where we can, challenge where we must, and this has been the ongoing approach of the administration in relation to China."