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Keir Starmer has declared that the truce deal in Gaza "could not have happened without President Trump's leadership," yet stopped short of endorsing the American leader for a Nobel Prize.

Ceasefire Deal Hailed as a "Relief to the World"

The prime minister commented that the first phase of the deal would be a "relief to the world" and highlighted that the United Kingdom had played its own role in private discussions with the US and negotiators.

Addressing the media on the final day of his trade visit to India, the British leader emphasized that the agreement "needs to be put into action in full, without delay, and paired with the prompt removal of all restrictions on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Nobel Prize Inquiry Addressed

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

"What matters now is to move forward and execute this ... my focus 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 media briefing in Mumbai.

Business Deals Revealed During India Visit

The Prime Minister has hailed a series of agreements sealed during his visit to India – his first time there – accompanied by over a hundred executives and arts figures. The trip marks the passing of the countries' trade pact.

• The UK government has unveiled a range of financial commitments, from financial technology to university campuses, as well as the production of three Bollywood films in the UK.
• On Thursday, Starmer signed a defence deal worth £350 million for British-made missiles, produced in Northern Ireland, to be deployed by the Indian army.

"The shared history is deep, the personal ties between our people are truly special," Starmer said as he left Mumbai. "Building on our landmark agreement, we are remaking this partnership for our times."

Digital ID Initiative Examined

Starmer has dedicated time in Mumbai studying the Indian digital ID system, including meeting principal architects who designed the comprehensive platform used by over a billion individuals for benefits, transactions, and verification.

He suggested that the United Kingdom was interested in expanding the application of digital ID beyond making it mandatory to verify eligibility to work. He indicated that the Britain would eventually look at linking it to financial and payments systems – on a voluntary basis – as well as for official procedures such as mortgage and school applications.

"It's been taken up on a optional basis [in India] in huge numbers, not least because it ensures that you can retrieve your own money, conduct transactions so much more conveniently than is available with others," he explained.

"The efficiency with which it enables citizens here to utilize facilities, particularly financial services, is something that was recognized in our talks recently, and in fact a financial technology discussion that we had as well. So we're examining those examples of how digital ID assists individuals with procedures that often take excessive time and are overly complex and simplifies them for them."

Popular Backing for Changes

The Prime Minister admitted that the government had to build public support for the initiatives to the British public, which have declined sharply in public approval since he proposed them.

"I think 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 come with this ... as has occurred in different nations, people say: 'That will make my life easier,' and consequently I want to proceed with it," he stated.

Rights Issues and International Relations Addressed

Starmer said he had brought up a number of difficult topics with the Indian premier regarding civil liberties and ties with Russia, though he seemed to have made minimal progress. He acknowledged that he and Modi talked about 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 resolving this conflict and the various steps will be implemented to that purpose," he commented. "This included a wide range of dialogue, but we outlined the steps that we are undertaking in regarding energy."

Starmer additionally mentioned he had brought up the case of the UK-based activist Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, who has been held in an Indian jail for almost a decade without facing a complete legal process. It is frequently mentioned as one of the worst examples of injustice among Britons currently detained overseas.

But, he did not suggest much progress had been made. "Yes, we did raise the diplomatic matters," he said. "We consistently address them when we have the opportunity to do so. I must add that the foreign secretary is meeting the families in coming weeks, as well as raising it now."

Upcoming Initiatives

Starmer is largely anticipated to take a similar business-oriented visit to the People's Republic of China in the coming year as part of a effort to improve relations between the United Kingdom and the Asian nation.

That relationship is under the spotlight because of the dismissal of a Chinese spying case, said to have happened because the British authorities has been reluctant to provide new proof that China is considered a threat.

Starmer clarified the UK was eager to explore additional commercial partnerships but stated that a trade deal with China was not on the agenda. "It is not a priority, for a trade deal as such, but our stance is to cooperate where we are able, confront where we must, and that's been the consistent policy of the administration in regarding China."