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The Prime Minister has declared that the Gaza ceasefire agreement "could not have happened without President Trump's leadership," yet avoided supporting the US president for a Nobel Prize.

Truce Agreement Hailed as a "Relief to the Globe"

Starmer commented that the first phase of the deal would be a "relief to the world" and highlighted that the UK had contributed significantly in private discussions with the United States and mediators.

Speaking on the last day of his business trip to India, the British leader stressed that the deal "must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the prompt removal of all limitations on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Nobel Prize Question Addressed

But, when questioned if the Nobel prize committee should now award Trump the coveted award, Starmer implied that more time was required to determine if a longer lasting peace could be achieved.

"The priority now is to press on and implement 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 media briefing in India's financial capital.

Business Deals Revealed During India Visit

The Prime Minister has hailed a number of deals sealed during his tour to the country – his first time there – accompanied by over a hundred executives and arts figures. The trip signifies the implementation of the two nations' free trade agreement.

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

"Our history together is deep, the human connections between our citizens are truly special," he said as he left Mumbai. "Expanding upon our landmark agreement, we are remaking this alliance for our times."

Digital ID Initiative Examined

Starmer has spent time in Mumbai studying the national digital identification program, including meeting principal architects who designed the comprehensive platform utilized by more than 1 billion people for social services, payments, and verification.

He suggested that the UK was considering broadening the scope 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 financial and payments systems – on a optional basis – as well as for official procedures such as home loan and educational enrollments.

"It's been taken up on a voluntary basis [in India] in huge numbers, partly because it ensures that you can access your own money, conduct transactions so much more easily than is available with others," he noted.

"The speed with which it enables residents here to utilize facilities, especially banking options, is something that was recognized in our talks recently, and in fact a Fintech discussion that we had as well. So we're examining those instances of how digital identification helps individuals 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 administration had to build public support for the reforms to the British public, which have declined sharply in popularity since Starmer proposed them.

"In my view now we need to go out and advocate for the significant advantages ... And I believe that the more people see the benefits that accompany this ... as has occurred in different nations, citizens say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and therefore I want to get on with it," he stated.

Human Rights and Global Affairs Addressed

The Prime Minister confirmed he had raised a number of difficult topics with the Indian premier regarding human rights and relations with Russia, though he seemed to have made little headway. Starmer acknowledged that he and Prime Minister Modi discussed how the country was continuing to purchase Russian oil, which is subject to widespread western sanctions.

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

The Prime Minister also mentioned he had brought up the case of the British Sikh 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 most egregious cases of unfair treatment among Britons currently detained overseas.

But, he did not suggest much progress had been achieved. "Yes, we brought up the consular cases," he said. "We consistently address them when we have the chance to do so. I must add that the foreign secretary is meeting the relatives in coming weeks, as well as discussing it today."

Future Plans

The prime minister is widely expected to take a similar trade-focused visit to China in the coming year as part of a effort to improve relations between the UK and China.

This bilateral connection is receiving attention because of the collapse of a espionage investigation, reportedly occurring because the UK has been unwilling to provide fresh evidence that the country is considered a security risk.

The Prime Minister said the UK was keen to explore additional commercial partnerships but emphasized that a commercial agreement with the nation was not currently planned. "That's not on our list, for a bilateral pact as such, but our position is to work together where we are able, challenge where we must, and this has been the ongoing approach of the administration in relation to China."