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The Prime Minister has asserted that the truce deal in Gaza "could not have happened without the leadership of Donald Trump," yet avoided supporting the American leader for a Nobel peace prize.

Truce Agreement Welcomed as a "Relief to the Globe"

Starmer remarked that the initial stage of the agreement would be a "welcome news globally" and noted that the United Kingdom had contributed significantly behind the scenes with the United States and negotiators.

Speaking on the final day of his business trip to the Indian subcontinent, Starmer stressed that the agreement "needs to be put into action in full, without postponement, and paired with the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Question Answered

However, when questioned if the Nobel prize committee should now grant Donald Trump the prestigious award, the Prime Minister suggested that more time was needed to know 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 ensure the success of this, because that matters to me above all," he stated at a press conference in India's financial capital.

Business Deals Revealed During Trip to India

Starmer has celebrated a series of agreements finalized during his tour to the country – his maiden visit there – joined by 126 business leaders and cultural leaders. The visit marks the implementation of the two nations' free trade agreement.

• No 10 has unveiled a range of financial commitments, from financial technology to university campuses, as well as the making of multiple Indian movies in the United Kingdom.
• On Thursday, Starmer signed a military agreement worth £350 million for British-made missiles, manufactured in the UK region, to be deployed by the Indian army.

"The shared history is profound, the personal ties between our citizens are truly special," Starmer remarked as he left the city. "Building on our historic trade deal, we are remaking this alliance for our times."

Digital ID System Examined

Starmer has dedicated time in India studying the national digital identification program, including consulting principal architects who designed the widespread system utilized by over a billion individuals for social services, payments, and identification.

The prime minister suggested that the UK was interested in expanding the application of digital identification beyond making it compulsory to verify eligibility to work. He proposed that the UK would eventually look at connecting it to banking and payments systems – on a voluntary basis – as well as for official procedures such as mortgage and school applications.

"It's been taken up on a optional basis [in India] in massive scale, not least because it means that you can access your own money, make payments so much more easily than is possible with alternative methods," he explained.

"The speed with which it enables residents here to utilize facilities, particularly banking options, is something that was acknowledged in our talks yesterday, and in fact a financial technology discussion that we had today. So we're looking at those instances of how digital identification assists individuals with processes that sometimes take excessive time and are too cumbersome and makes them easier for them."

Public Support for Reforms

Starmer acknowledged that the government had to make the case for the initiatives to the British public, which have declined sharply in public approval since he announced them.

"I think now we need to go out and make that case the huge benefits ... And I think that the greater number of individuals see the benefits that come with 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 Addressed

Starmer said he had raised a number of difficult topics with the Indian premier regarding civil liberties and relations with Russia, though he appeared to have made minimal progress. He acknowledged that he and Modi talked about how the country was persisting to purchase oil from Russia, which is facing widespread western sanctions.

"For both Prime Minister Modi and me the focus on ending this situation and the multiple measures will be implemented to that purpose," he commented. "And that was a wide range of dialogue, but we outlined the actions that we are taking in relation to energy."

Starmer additionally said he had brought up the situation of the UK-based activist the individual, from Scotland, who has been held in an Indian prison for almost a decade without facing a complete legal process. It is often cited as one of the worst examples of unfair treatment among UK nationals currently detained overseas.

But, he did not suggest much advancement had been made. "Yes, we brought up the consular cases," he stated. "We consistently address them when we have the opportunity to do so. I should say that the top diplomat is scheduled to meet the families in coming weeks, as well as raising it now."

Upcoming Initiatives

The prime minister is largely anticipated to take a comparable trade-focused trip to China in the coming year as part of a effort to ease diplomatic ties between the UK and the Asian nation.

That relationship is receiving attention because of the collapse of a espionage investigation, reportedly occurring because the British authorities has been reluctant to provide new proof that the country is considered a threat.

The Prime Minister said the United Kingdom was keen to pursue additional commercial partnerships but emphasized that a commercial agreement with the nation was not currently planned. "That's not on our list, for a trade deal as such, but our stance is to cooperate where we can, confront where we must, and this has been the ongoing approach of the government in regarding China."