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The Prime Minister has asserted that the truce deal in Gaza "could not have happened without President Trump's leadership," yet avoided supporting the US president for a Nobel peace prize.

Truce Agreement Hailed as a "Relief to the Globe"

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 contributed significantly in private discussions with the United States and negotiators.

Speaking on the last day of his trade visit to India, the British leader emphasized that the deal "must now be implemented in full, without postponement, and paired with the immediate lifting of all restrictions on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Inquiry Answered

However, when questioned if the Nobel committee should at this time award Trump the prestigious award, Starmer suggested that time was required to determine if a longer lasting peace could be attained.

"What matters 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 more than anything else," he told reporters at a media briefing in Mumbai.

Business Deals Revealed During India Visit

The Prime Minister has celebrated a series of agreements finalized during his tour to India – his maiden visit there – accompanied by over a hundred executives and arts figures. The trip marks the passing of the countries' free trade agreement.

• The UK government 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 the final day, the Prime Minister finalized a defence deal worth £350 million for UK missiles, produced in the UK region, to be deployed by the Indian military.

"Our history together is profound, the personal ties between our citizens are exceptionally strong," Starmer said as he departed the city. "Building on our landmark agreement, we are reinventing this partnership for our times."

Digital ID System Studied

Starmer has dedicated time in Mumbai analyzing the Indian digital ID system, including meeting key figures who developed the comprehensive platform utilized by over a billion individuals for benefits, transactions, and identification.

The prime minister hinted that the UK was considering expanding the application of digital ID beyond making it compulsory to verify eligibility to work. He proposed that the Britain would in time look at linking it to financial and payments systems – on a optional 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 retrieve your own money, conduct transactions so much more easily than is possible with others," he explained.

"The efficiency with which it allows residents here to access services, particularly banking options, is something that was acknowledged in our discussions recently, and actually a financial technology discussion that we had today. So we're looking at those examples of how digital ID helps people with procedures that often take too long and are too cumbersome and makes them easier for them."

Public Support for Reforms

Starmer acknowledged that the government had to build public support for the initiatives to the UK citizens, which have declined sharply in public approval since Starmer proposed them.

"In my view now we need to go out and make that case the huge benefits ... And I think that the more people see the benefits that come with this ... as has happened in other countries, citizens say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and consequently I want to get on with it," he affirmed.

Human Rights and International Relations Discussed

Starmer said he had raised a range of challenging issues with the Indian leader regarding civil liberties and ties with the Russian Federation, though he seemed to have made little headway. Starmer acknowledged that he and Modi talked about how the country was continuing to purchase oil from Russia, which is facing widespread western sanctions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself 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 actions that we are taking in regarding energy."

The Prime Minister additionally said he had brought up the situation of the UK-based activist the individual, from Dumbarton, who has been detained in an Indian jail for nearly eight years without facing a full trial. It is often cited as one of the worst examples of unfair treatment among UK nationals still held abroad.

But, he did not suggest much progress had been made. "Indeed, we did raise the consular cases," he stated. "We consistently address them when we have the chance to do so. I should say that the top diplomat is meeting the families in the near future, as well as discussing it today."

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 diplomatic ties between the UK and the Asian nation.

This bilateral connection is under the spotlight because of the collapse of a Chinese spying case, said to have happened because the British authorities has been reluctant to provide new proof that the country is deemed a threat.

The Prime Minister said the United Kingdom was keen to pursue additional commercial partnerships but emphasized that a trade deal with China was not currently planned. "It is not a priority, for a bilateral pact as such, but our position is to work together where we can, challenge where we need to, and this has been the ongoing approach of the administration in relation to China."