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The Prime Minister has declared that the truce deal in Gaza "could not have happened without the leadership of Donald Trump," yet avoided endorsing the US president for a Nobel peace prize.

Ceasefire Deal Welcomed as a "Welcome Development to the Globe"

Starmer remarked that the initial stage of the deal would be a "welcome news globally" and highlighted that the UK had contributed significantly in private discussions with the US and mediators.

Addressing the media on the final day of his business trip to India, Starmer stressed that the deal "needs to be put into action in full, without delay, and paired with the prompt removal of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Inquiry Addressed

However, when asked if the Nobel committee should at this time grant Trump the coveted award, Starmer implied that time was needed to determine if a durable peace could be attained.

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

Business Deals Announced During India Visit

Starmer has celebrated a series of agreements finalized during his visit to the country – his maiden visit there – accompanied by 126 business leaders and cultural leaders. The trip marks the passing of the two nations' trade pact.

• The UK government has unveiled a range of financial commitments, from financial technology to university campuses, as well as the making of multiple Indian movies in the UK.
• On Thursday, Starmer signed a defence deal worth £350m for UK missiles, manufactured in Northern Ireland, to be deployed by the Indian military.

"Our history together is profound, the personal ties between our citizens are truly special," he remarked as he left Mumbai. "Building on our historic trade deal, we are remaking this alliance for our era."

Digital Identification Initiative Examined

Starmer has dedicated time in India studying the national digital identification program, including meeting principal architects who developed the comprehensive platform utilized by more than 1 billion people for benefits, transactions, and verification.

The prime minister suggested that the United Kingdom was considering expanding the scope of digital ID beyond making it compulsory to verify eligibility 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 official procedures such as mortgage and educational enrollments.

"It has been adopted on a optional basis [in India] in huge numbers, partly because it ensures that you can retrieve your own funds, conduct transactions so much more conveniently than is possible with others," he noted.

"The speed with which it enables residents here to access services, especially financial services, is something that was recognized in our talks yesterday, and in fact a financial technology discussion that we had as well. So we're looking at those instances of how digital identification assists people with processes that sometimes take too long and are too cumbersome and simplifies them for them."

Popular Backing for Changes

Starmer acknowledged that the administration had to build public support for the initiatives to the UK citizens, which have declined sharply in popularity since Starmer announced them.

"I think now we need to go out and make that case the significant advantages ... And I believe that the greater number of individuals see the benefits that come with this ... as has occurred in other countries, people say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and consequently I want to get on with it," he affirmed.

Rights Issues and International Relations Discussed

The Prime Minister said he had raised a range of challenging issues with the Indian leader regarding civil liberties and ties with the Russian Federation, though he appeared to have made little headway. Starmer acknowledged that he and Prime Minister Modi discussed how India was continuing to buy Russian oil, which is facing widespread western sanctions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the focus on ending this conflict and the various steps will be implemented to that purpose," he commented. "This included a wide range of discussion, but we outlined the steps that we are taking in regarding energy."

The Prime Minister also said he had raised the situation of the British Sikh activist the individual, from Dumbarton, who has been detained in an Indian jail for nearly eight years without undergoing a full trial. It is often cited as one of the most egregious cases of injustice among Britons currently detained abroad.

But, he did not suggest much advancement had been made. "Yes, we brought up 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 coming weeks, as well as raising it now."

Future Plans

Starmer is widely expected to take a similar trade-focused 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 China.

This bilateral connection is receiving attention because of the collapse of a Chinese spying case, reportedly occurring because the UK has been unwilling to provide new proof that China is deemed a security risk.

Starmer clarified the United Kingdom was eager to pursue other trading relationships but emphasized that a trade deal with China was not on the agenda. "It is not a priority, for a bilateral pact as such, but our stance is to work together where we can, challenge where we must, and this has been the consistent policy of the administration in regarding China."