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Keir Starmer has stated that the Gaza ceasefire agreement "could not have happened without the leadership of Donald Trump," but stopped short of endorsing the American leader for a Nobel Prize.

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

The prime minister remarked that the first phase of the agreement would be a "relief to the world" and highlighted that the UK had contributed significantly in private discussions with the United States and mediators.

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

Nobel Prize Inquiry Addressed

But, when questioned if the Nobel committee should now award Trump the coveted prize, the Prime Minister suggested that more time was needed to determine if a durable peace could be attained.

"What matters now is to press on and implement this ... my attention now is transitioning this from the phase it's at now ... and ensure the success of this, because that matters to me above all," he told reporters at a press conference in Mumbai.

Business Deals Announced During India Visit

Starmer has celebrated a series of agreements sealed during his tour 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.

• No 10 has announced a range of financial commitments, from financial technology to higher education facilities, as well as the making of multiple Indian movies in the United Kingdom.
• On Thursday, the Prime Minister signed a military agreement worth £350m for British-made missiles, manufactured in Northern Ireland, to be deployed by the Indian military.

"Our history together is deep, the personal ties between our people 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 System Studied

Starmer has dedicated time in India studying the national digital identification program, including consulting key figures who developed the comprehensive platform used by over a billion individuals for social services, payments, and identification.

The prime minister suggested that the UK was interested in broadening 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 banking and transaction networks – on a optional basis – as well as for administrative tasks such as mortgage and school applications.

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

"The speed with which it enables citizens here to access services, especially banking options, is something that was recognized in our discussions yesterday, and actually a Fintech discussion that we had as well. So we're looking at those instances of how digital ID assists individuals with procedures that sometimes take excessive time and are overly complex and makes them easier for them."

Public Support for Reforms

The Prime Minister acknowledged that the government had to build public support for the initiatives to the British public, which have plummeted in popularity since he announced them.

"I think now we need to go out and make that case the huge benefits ... And I believe that the greater number of individuals see the positive outcomes 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 stated.

Rights Issues and International Relations Discussed

The Prime Minister said he had raised a number of difficult topics with the Indian leader regarding civil liberties and relations with Russia, though he appeared to have made minimal progress. He acknowledged that he and Modi discussed how India was continuing to purchase Russian oil, which is subject to widespread western sanctions.

"For both Prime Minister Modi and me the focus on ending this conflict and the multiple measures will be taken to that purpose," he said. "This included a broad spectrum of discussion, but we outlined the steps that we are undertaking in relation to energy."

Starmer additionally said he had raised the situation of the British Sikh activist Jagtar Singh Johal, from Scotland, who has been detained in an Indian prison for almost a decade without facing a complete legal process. It is frequently mentioned as one of the worst examples of injustice among UK nationals still held overseas.

However, he did not suggest much advancement had been made. "Yes, we brought up the consular cases," he said. "We consistently address them when we have the chance to do so. I must add 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 China in the next 12 months as part of a mission to ease relations between the UK and China.

That relationship is receiving attention because of the collapse of a espionage investigation, said to have happened because the British authorities has been reluctant to provide new proof that China is deemed a security risk.

Starmer clarified the United Kingdom was eager to pursue additional commercial partnerships but stated that a trade deal with China was not currently planned. "It is not a priority, for a trade deal as such, but our position is to work together where we can, challenge where we need to, and that's been the consistent policy of the government in regarding China."