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Keir Starmer has stated that the truce deal in Gaza "could not have happened without President Trump's leadership," but avoided supporting the US president for a Nobel peace prize.

Truce Agreement Welcomed as a "Relief to the Globe"

The prime minister commented that the initial stage of the deal would be a "welcome news globally" and noted that the UK had contributed significantly behind the scenes with the US and negotiators.

Speaking on the final day of his business trip to the Indian subcontinent, the British leader stressed that the agreement "needs to be put into action in full, without postponement, and accompanied by the prompt removal of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Question Answered

However, when asked if the Nobel prize committee should at this time award Donald Trump the prestigious prize, Starmer implied that more time was needed to know 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 make a success of this, because that is important to me above all," he stated at a press conference in Mumbai.

Trade and Investment Revealed During Trip to India

The Prime Minister has hailed a number of deals finalized during his tour to the country – his maiden visit there – joined by over a hundred executives and cultural leaders. The visit marks the implementation of the countries' free trade agreement.

• No 10 has unveiled a slew of investments, from financial technology to university campuses, as well as the making of three Bollywood films in the United Kingdom.
• On the final day, Starmer finalized a military agreement worth £350 million for British-made missiles, produced in the UK region, to be used by the Indian army.

"The shared history is deep, the human connections between our people are exceptionally strong," Starmer remarked as he departed the city. "Building on our landmark agreement, we are remaking this alliance for our times."

Digital Identification System Studied

Starmer has dedicated time in Mumbai analyzing the Indian digital ID system, including consulting key figures who designed the comprehensive platform utilized by more than 1 billion people for benefits, payments, and verification.

He suggested that the United Kingdom was considering expanding the application of digital ID beyond making it mandatory to prove rights to work. He proposed that the UK would in time look at linking it to banking and payments systems – on a voluntary basis – as well as for administrative tasks such as home loan and educational enrollments.

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

"The speed with which it enables citizens here to utilize facilities, particularly financial services, is something that was recognized in our discussions recently, and actually a financial technology conversation that we had as well. So we're looking at those instances of how digital identification assists people with procedures that often take excessive time and are overly complex and makes them easier for them."

Public Support for Changes

Starmer admitted that the government had to make the case for the reforms to the British public, which have plummeted in popularity since Starmer proposed them.

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

Human Rights and Global Affairs Discussed

The Prime Minister confirmed he had brought up a range of challenging issues with the Indian premier regarding human rights and relations with Russia, though he appeared to have made little headway. He acknowledged that he and Prime Minister Modi talked about how the country was persisting to purchase Russian oil, which is facing extensive international restrictions.

"For both Prime Minister Modi and me the focus on resolving this conflict and the multiple measures will be implemented to that end," he commented. "This included a broad spectrum of dialogue, but we did set out the steps that we are undertaking in relation to energy."

Starmer additionally mentioned he had brought up the case of the UK-based activist Jagtar Singh Johal, from Scotland, who has been detained in an Indian jail for nearly eight years without undergoing a complete legal process. It is frequently mentioned as one of the worst examples of unfair treatment among Britons still held overseas.

But, Starmer did not suggest much advancement had been achieved. "Indeed, we brought up the consular cases," he said. "We always raise them when we have the opportunity to do so. I should say that the top diplomat is scheduled to meet the relatives in the near future, as well as raising it today."

Upcoming Initiatives

The prime minister is widely expected to take a similar trade-focused visit to the People's Republic of China in the next 12 months as part of a mission to improve relations between the UK and China.

This bilateral connection is receiving attention because of the collapse of a Chinese spying case, reportedly occurring because the British authorities has been unwilling to provide fresh evidence that the country is deemed a threat.

Starmer said the UK was keen to explore additional commercial partnerships but emphasized that a commercial agreement with the nation was not currently planned. "It is not a priority, for a bilateral pact as such, but our stance is to cooperate where we are able, challenge where we need to, and this has been the consistent policy of the administration in relation to China."