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Keir Starmer has declared that the truce deal in Gaza "would not have occurred without President Trump's leadership," yet avoided supporting the US president for a Nobel peace prize.

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

Starmer commented that the initial stage of the deal would be a "relief to the world" and highlighted that the United Kingdom had contributed significantly in private discussions with the US and mediators.

Addressing the media on the last 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 delay, and accompanied by the prompt removal of all limitations on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Question Answered

However, when asked if the Nobel committee should now award Trump the prestigious award, the Prime Minister implied that time was required to know if a durable peace could be attained.

"What matters now is to move forward and implement this ... my attention 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 told reporters at a press conference in Mumbai.

Business Deals Announced During India Visit

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

• No 10 has unveiled a slew of investments, from fintech to higher education facilities, as well as the production of three Bollywood films in the United Kingdom.
• On the final day, Starmer finalized a defence deal worth £350m for UK missiles, produced in the UK region, to be deployed by the Indian army.

"Our history together is profound, the human connections between our people are exceptionally strong," Starmer remarked as he departed Mumbai. "Expanding upon our landmark agreement, we are remaking this alliance for our era."

Digital Identification System Examined

Starmer has spent time in Mumbai studying the Indian digital ID system, including consulting key figures who designed the comprehensive platform used by more than 1 billion people for social services, payments, and verification.

The prime minister suggested that the UK was interested in expanding the scope of digital ID beyond making it compulsory to verify eligibility to work. He indicated that the UK would eventually look at connecting it to banking and transaction networks – on a optional basis – as well as for administrative tasks such as home loan and school applications.

"It's been taken up on a voluntary basis [in India] in huge numbers, not least because it means that you can retrieve your own funds, conduct transactions so much more easily than is available with alternative methods," he explained.

"The speed with which it enables residents here to access services, especially financial services, is something that was recognized in our talks recently, and in fact a Fintech conversation that we had as well. So we're examining those instances of how digital identification assists individuals with procedures that often take too long and are overly complex and makes them easier for them."

Popular Backing for Reforms

Starmer acknowledged that the government had to build public support for the initiatives to the British public, which have plummeted in public approval since Starmer announced them.

"In my view now we need to go out and advocate for the huge benefits ... And I think that the greater number of individuals see the positive outcomes that accompany this ... as has occurred in different nations, citizens say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and consequently I want to proceed with it," he stated.

Human Rights and International Relations Discussed

Starmer confirmed he had brought up a range of challenging issues with the Indian premier regarding human rights and relations with the Russian Federation, though he seemed to have made little headway. Starmer acknowledged that he and Modi discussed how the country was continuing to purchase Russian oil, which is subject to widespread western sanctions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the focus on resolving this conflict and the various steps will be implemented to that end," he said. "This included a wide range of discussion, but we did set out the actions that we are undertaking in relation to energy."

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

But, he did not suggest much advancement had been achieved. "Indeed, we did raise the consular cases," he stated. "We always raise them when we have the chance to do so. I should say that the foreign secretary is meeting the relatives in the near future, as well as raising it today."

Future Plans

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

This bilateral connection is receiving attention because of the dismissal of a Chinese spying case, reportedly occurring because the British authorities has been reluctant to provide new proof that the country is deemed a security risk.

The Prime Minister said the United Kingdom was keen to explore other trading relationships but stated that a trade deal with China was not currently planned. "It is not a priority, for a trade deal as such, but our stance is to cooperate where we can, challenge where we must, and this has been the consistent policy of the government in relation to China."