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The Prime Minister has stated that the Gaza ceasefire agreement "could not have happened without the leadership of Donald Trump," but stopped short of supporting the American leader for a Nobel peace prize.

Ceasefire Deal Hailed as a "Welcome Development to the World"

Starmer remarked that the initial stage of the agreement would be a "relief to the world" and noted that the UK had played its own role behind the scenes with the US and negotiators.

Speaking on the last day of his trade visit to the Indian subcontinent, Starmer emphasized that the agreement "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."

Nobel Prize Inquiry Addressed

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

"What matters now is to move forward and execute this ... my attention now is moving this from the stage it's at now ... and make a success of this, because that is important to me above all," he stated at a press conference in Mumbai.

Business Deals Announced During India Visit

The Prime Minister has celebrated a series of agreements finalized during his visit to the country – his first time there – joined by over a hundred executives and arts figures. The visit marks the passing of the two nations' free trade agreement.

• The UK government has announced a slew of investments, from fintech to university campuses, as well as the making of multiple Indian movies in the UK.
• On the final day, Starmer signed a defence deal worth £350m for British-made missiles, manufactured in the UK region, to be used by the Indian military.

"Our history together is profound, the human connections between our people are truly special," he said as he left the city. "Building on our historic trade deal, we are remaking this alliance for our era."

Digital ID System Examined

Starmer 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, payments, and identification.

He suggested that the UK was considering broadening the application of digital identification beyond making it compulsory to verify eligibility to work. He indicated that the Britain would in time look at linking it to banking and payments systems – on a optional basis – as well as for administrative tasks such as mortgage and educational enrollments.

"It has been adopted on a voluntary basis [in India] in huge numbers, not least because it ensures that you can access your own money, make payments so much more conveniently than is possible with alternative methods," he noted.

"The speed with which it allows residents here to access services, especially banking options, is something that was recognized in our talks recently, and actually a financial technology discussion that we had as well. So we're examining those examples of how digital identification assists people with procedures that sometimes take too long and are too cumbersome and makes them easier for them."

Popular Backing for Reforms

The Prime Minister admitted that the government had to make the case 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 make that case the significant advantages ... And I believe that the more people see the benefits that accompany this ... as has happened in different nations, citizens say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and therefore I want to proceed with it," he stated.

Human Rights and Global Affairs Discussed

Starmer said he had raised a number of difficult topics with the Indian premier regarding human rights and relations with the Russian Federation, though he appeared to have made little headway. Starmer confirmed that he and Modi talked about how India was continuing to purchase Russian oil, which is subject to widespread western sanctions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the focus on ending this conflict and the various steps will be taken to that purpose," he said. "And that was a broad spectrum of dialogue, but we did set out the steps that we are taking in regarding energy."

The Prime Minister additionally mentioned he had brought up the case of the British Sikh activist Jagtar Singh Johal, from Scotland, who has been held in an Indian prison for nearly eight years without undergoing a complete legal process. It is often cited as one of the most egregious cases of unfair treatment among Britons currently detained overseas.

But, he did not indicate much advancement had been achieved. "Indeed, we did raise the consular cases," he said. "We always raise them when we have the chance to do so. I must add that the foreign secretary is scheduled to meet the families in coming weeks, as well as raising it now."

Upcoming Initiatives

The prime minister is widely expected to take a similar trade-focused visit to the People's Republic of China in the coming year as part of a effort to improve diplomatic ties between the UK and the Asian nation.

That relationship is receiving attention because of the collapse of a Chinese spying case, said to have happened because the British authorities has been reluctant to provide fresh evidence that the country is deemed a threat.

The Prime Minister said the UK was keen to pursue additional commercial partnerships but emphasized that a trade deal with the nation 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, confront where we must, and that's been the consistent policy of the government in relation to China."