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The Prime Minister has declared that the Gaza ceasefire agreement "would not have occurred without President Trump's leadership," but stopped short of endorsing the US president for a Nobel Prize.

Truce Agreement Hailed as a "Relief to the World"

Starmer remarked that the initial stage of the agreement would be a "welcome news globally" and noted that the United Kingdom had played its own role behind the scenes with the US and negotiators.

Speaking on the final day of his business trip to the Indian subcontinent, Starmer emphasized that the deal "must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all limitations on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Question Addressed

But, when asked if the Nobel committee should now grant Trump the coveted prize, Starmer implied that time was required to determine if a longer lasting peace could be attained.

"What matters now is to press on and implement this ... my attention now is moving this from the phase it's at now ... and ensure the success of this, because that matters to me more than anything else," he stated at a media briefing in India's financial capital.

Business Deals Revealed During Trip to India

Starmer has hailed a number of deals finalized during his visit to the country – his first time there – joined by over a hundred executives and arts figures. The visit signifies the implementation of the two nations' free trade agreement.

• The UK government has unveiled a slew of investments, from fintech to higher education facilities, as well as the making of three Bollywood films in the UK.
• On Thursday, Starmer signed a military agreement worth £350 million for British-made missiles, produced in Northern Ireland, to be used by the Indian military.

"Our history together is deep, the human connections between our people are exceptionally strong," he remarked as he departed Mumbai. "Expanding upon our landmark agreement, we are remaking this alliance for our times."

Digital ID Initiative Examined

The Prime Minister has spent time in Mumbai studying the Indian digital ID system, including consulting principal architects who designed the comprehensive platform utilized by more than 1 billion people for benefits, payments, and identification.

The prime minister suggested that the United Kingdom was considering expanding the scope of digital identification 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 voluntary basis – as well as for official procedures such as home loan and school applications.

"It has been adopted on a voluntary basis [in India] in huge numbers, not least because it means that you can access your own money, conduct transactions so much more easily than is possible with others," he noted.

"The speed with which it enables residents here to utilize facilities, particularly financial services, is something that was acknowledged in our talks yesterday, and actually a Fintech conversation that we had as well. So we're looking at those instances of how digital ID assists individuals with processes 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 plummeted in public approval since he proposed them.

"In my view now we need to go out and advocate for the huge benefits ... And I think that the greater number of individuals see the benefits that come with this ... as has occurred in other countries, 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 confirmed he had raised a range of challenging issues with the Indian premier regarding human rights and relations with the Russian Federation, though he appeared to have made little headway. Starmer acknowledged that he and Modi talked about how India was continuing to purchase Russian oil, which is subject to widespread western sanctions.

"For both Prime Minister Modi and me the priority on resolving this situation and the multiple measures will be implemented to that purpose," he commented. "This included a broad spectrum of discussion, but we outlined the steps that we are undertaking in relation to energy."

The Prime Minister also said he had raised the situation of the UK-based activist Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, who has been detained in an Indian prison for nearly eight years without facing a complete legal process. It is frequently mentioned as one of the worst examples of unfair treatment among UK nationals currently detained abroad.

However, he did not suggest much progress had been made. "Yes, we brought up the diplomatic matters," he said. "We consistently address them when we have the chance to do so. I should say that the foreign secretary is meeting the relatives in the near future, as well as raising it now."

Upcoming Initiatives

Starmer is largely anticipated to take a similar business-oriented trip to the People's Republic of China in the coming year as part of a mission to improve relations between the UK and China.

That relationship is receiving attention because of the dismissal of a Chinese spying case, said to have happened because the British authorities has been unwilling to provide new proof that the country is considered a security risk.

Starmer clarified the UK was eager to pursue additional commercial partnerships but emphasized that a trade deal with China was not on the agenda. "That's not on our list, for a bilateral pact as such, but our stance is to work together where we are able, confront where we need to, and that's been the ongoing approach of the administration in relation to China."