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Keir Starmer has stated that the truce deal in Gaza "would not have occurred without President Trump's leadership," yet avoided endorsing the US president for a Nobel Prize.

Truce Agreement Hailed as a "Welcome Development to the World"

The prime minister commented that the initial stage 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 US and negotiators.

Speaking on the final day of his trade visit to the Indian subcontinent, Starmer emphasized that the agreement "must now be implemented in full, without delay, and paired with the prompt removal of all restrictions on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Nobel Prize Question Addressed

However, when questioned if the Nobel committee should now award Donald Trump the coveted prize, Starmer implied that more time was required to determine if a durable peace could be attained.

"The priority now is to move forward and execute this ... my focus 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 told reporters at a press conference in Mumbai.

Trade and Investment Announced During India Visit

The Prime Minister has celebrated a number of deals sealed during his tour to the country – his maiden visit there – accompanied by 126 business leaders and arts figures. The visit signifies the passing of the two nations' trade pact.

• No 10 has unveiled a slew of investments, from fintech to higher education facilities, as well as the production of three Bollywood films in the UK.
• On the final day, Starmer signed a defence deal worth £350 million for UK missiles, produced in Northern Ireland, to be used by the Indian military.

"Our history together is profound, the human connections between our citizens are truly special," he said as he left the city. "Expanding upon our landmark agreement, we are remaking this alliance for our era."

Digital Identification Initiative Examined

The Prime Minister has spent time in Mumbai studying the national digital identification program, including consulting principal architects who designed the comprehensive platform used by more than 1 billion people for social services, transactions, and verification.

He suggested that the UK was interested in broadening the application of digital ID beyond making it compulsory to prove rights to work. He proposed that the UK would in time look at linking it to banking 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, partly because it means that you can retrieve your own funds, conduct transactions so much more conveniently than is available with others," he explained.

"The efficiency with which it allows citizens here to utilize facilities, especially banking options, is something that was recognized in our talks yesterday, and actually a Fintech discussion that we had as well. So we're looking at those instances of how digital ID assists people with procedures that often take too long and are too cumbersome and makes them easier for them."

Popular Backing for Reforms

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

"In my view now we need to go out and advocate for the huge benefits ... And I believe that the greater number of individuals see the benefits that come with this ... as has occurred in different nations, citizens say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and therefore I want to proceed with it," he affirmed.

Rights Issues and International Relations Discussed

Starmer confirmed he had brought up a range of challenging issues with the Indian leader regarding human rights and ties with the Russian Federation, though he seemed to have made minimal progress. Starmer confirmed that he and Prime Minister Modi talked about how India was persisting to buy oil from Russia, which is facing widespread western sanctions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the priority on resolving this conflict and the multiple measures will be implemented to that purpose," he commented. "This included a wide range of dialogue, but we outlined the actions that we are undertaking in relation to energy."

The Prime Minister also said he had brought up the situation of the British Sikh activist the individual, from Scotland, who has been detained in an Indian prison for almost a decade without facing a full trial. It is frequently mentioned as one of the worst examples of injustice among UK nationals still held overseas.

But, he did not indicate much progress had been achieved. "Yes, we brought up the diplomatic matters," he stated. "We consistently address them when we have the opportunity to do so. I must add that the top diplomat is meeting the relatives in coming weeks, as well as raising it today."

Future Plans

The prime minister is widely expected to take a comparable trade-focused visit to China in the coming year as part of a effort to improve relations between the UK and China.

That relationship is receiving attention because of the collapse of a Chinese spying case, reportedly occurring because the British authorities has been reluctant to provide fresh evidence that China is considered a threat.

Starmer said the United Kingdom was keen to pursue other trading relationships but stated that a commercial agreement with the nation was not on the agenda. "That's not on our list, for a trade deal as such, but our position is to work together where we are able, confront where we need to, and this has been the consistent policy of the government in relation to China."