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The Prime Minister has stated that the Gaza ceasefire agreement "could not have happened without the leadership of Donald Trump," yet avoided supporting the US president for a Nobel peace prize.

Ceasefire Deal Hailed as a "Relief to the Globe"

The prime minister remarked that the initial stage of the deal would be a "relief to the world" and highlighted that the UK had played its own role in private discussions with the United States and mediators.

Speaking on the final day of his trade visit to the Indian subcontinent, the British leader stressed that the agreement "must now be implemented in full, without delay, and paired with the immediate lifting of all limitations on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Question Answered

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

"The priority now is to press on and implement this ... my focus now is transitioning this from the stage it's at now ... and ensure the success of this, because that is important to me more than anything else," he stated at a press conference in Mumbai.

Trade and Investment Revealed During Trip to India

The Prime Minister has celebrated a number of deals sealed during his visit to the country – his first time there – accompanied by 126 business leaders and cultural leaders. 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 UK.
• On Thursday, Starmer finalized a military agreement worth £350 million for British-made missiles, manufactured in Northern Ireland, to be used by the Indian army.

"The shared history is deep, the human connections between our people are truly special," he said as he left Mumbai. "Expanding upon our landmark agreement, we are reinventing this partnership for our times."

Digital Identification System Studied

Starmer has spent time in Mumbai studying the national digital identification program, including meeting key figures who developed the widespread system utilized by more than 1 billion people for benefits, transactions, and verification.

He hinted that the United Kingdom was interested in expanding the application of digital ID beyond making it mandatory to verify eligibility to work. He indicated that the Britain would in time look at connecting it to banking and transaction networks – on a optional basis – as well as for official procedures such as home loan and school applications.

"It has been adopted on a optional basis [in India] in huge numbers, partly because it means that you can retrieve your own funds, make payments so much more easily than is available with alternative methods," he noted.

"The efficiency with which it enables residents here to access services, particularly financial services, is something that was recognized in our talks recently, and in fact a Fintech conversation that we had today. So we're examining those examples of how digital identification assists individuals with processes that sometimes take too long and are too cumbersome and simplifies them for them."

Popular Backing for Changes

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 he announced them.

"I think now we need to go out and make that case the significant advantages ... And I believe that the more people see the benefits that come with this ... as has occurred in other countries, citizens say: 'That will make my life easier,' and therefore I want to proceed with it," he stated.

Human Rights and Global Affairs Addressed

Starmer confirmed he had raised a number of difficult topics with the Indian premier regarding human rights and ties with the Russian Federation, though he seemed to have made minimal progress. Starmer acknowledged that he and Modi discussed how India was persisting to purchase Russian oil, which is facing widespread western sanctions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the priority on resolving this situation and the various steps will be taken to that end," he commented. "And that was a broad spectrum of dialogue, but we did set out the actions that we are undertaking in relation to energy."

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

But, he did not indicate much progress had been made. "Indeed, we brought up the consular cases," he stated. "We always raise them when we have the opportunity to do so. I must add that the top diplomat is scheduled to meet the relatives in coming weeks, as well as discussing it today."

Future Plans

Starmer is largely anticipated to take a similar trade-focused visit to China in the coming year as part of a mission to improve relations between the United Kingdom and China.

This bilateral connection is receiving attention because of the dismissal of a Chinese spying case, reportedly occurring because the UK has been unwilling to provide new proof that China is considered a threat.

Starmer said the United Kingdom was keen to pursue other trading relationships but emphasized that a trade deal with the nation was not on the agenda. "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 ongoing approach of the administration in relation to China."