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Keir Starmer has declared that the Gaza ceasefire agreement "could not have happened without the leadership of Donald Trump," yet avoided endorsing the American leader for a Nobel peace prize.

Truce Agreement Welcomed as a "Welcome Development to the Globe"

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

Addressing the media on the last day of his trade visit to India, the British leader stressed that the deal "must now be implemented in full, without postponement, and paired with the immediate lifting of all limitations on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Question Addressed

But, when asked if the Nobel prize committee should now grant Trump the coveted prize, the Prime Minister suggested that time was needed to determine if a longer lasting peace could be attained.

"The priority now is to press on and implement this ... my attention now is moving this from the phase it's at now ... and ensure the success of this, because that matters to me more than anything else," he stated at a media briefing in Mumbai.

Trade and Investment Revealed During India Visit

The Prime Minister has hailed a series of agreements finalized during his visit to the country – his maiden visit there – accompanied by over a hundred executives and cultural leaders. The visit signifies the passing of the two nations' trade pact.

• No 10 has announced a range of financial commitments, from fintech to university campuses, as well as the production of three Bollywood films in the UK.
• On Thursday, Starmer finalized a military agreement worth £350m for UK missiles, manufactured in Northern Ireland, to be used by the Indian army.

"Our history together is profound, the personal ties between our people are truly special," he remarked as he departed the city. "Expanding upon our historic trade deal, we are remaking this alliance for our era."

Digital ID Initiative Examined

Starmer has dedicated time in Mumbai analyzing the Indian digital ID system, including meeting principal architects who developed the widespread system used by more than 1 billion people for benefits, payments, and identification.

He suggested that the United Kingdom was interested in expanding the application of digital ID beyond making it compulsory to verify eligibility to work. He indicated that the UK would eventually look at linking it to banking and transaction networks – on a voluntary basis – as well as for administrative tasks such as mortgage and school applications.

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

"The speed with which it enables citizens here to utilize facilities, especially banking options, is something that was acknowledged in our talks yesterday, and in fact a Fintech conversation that we had today. So we're looking at those examples of how digital ID helps individuals with procedures that often take excessive time 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 reforms to the British public, which have plummeted in popularity since he proposed them.

"In my view now we need to go out and make that case the significant advantages ... And I think that the more people see the positive outcomes that come with this ... as has occurred in different nations, people say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and consequently I want to get on with it," he stated.

Rights Issues and Global Affairs Addressed

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

"For both Prime Minister Modi and me the focus on ending this conflict and the various steps will be implemented to that end," he said. "And that was a broad spectrum of dialogue, but we outlined the steps that we are taking in regarding energy."

The Prime Minister also said he had raised the situation of the British Sikh activist the individual, from Dumbarton, who has been held in an Indian prison for nearly eight years without facing a complete legal process. It is frequently mentioned as one of the most egregious cases of unfair treatment among Britons currently detained abroad.

But, Starmer did not suggest much progress had been made. "Indeed, we brought up the consular cases," he said. "We always raise them when we have the opportunity to do so. I must add that the foreign secretary is meeting the relatives in the near future, as well as discussing it now."

Future Plans

Starmer is largely anticipated to take a comparable business-oriented trip to China in the next 12 months as part of a effort to ease relations between the United Kingdom and China.

That relationship is receiving attention because of the dismissal of a Chinese spying case, said to have happened because the UK has been unwilling to provide fresh evidence that the country is deemed a security risk.

The Prime Minister clarified the UK was eager to explore other trading relationships but emphasized that a trade deal with China was not currently planned. "That's not on our list, for a trade deal as such, but our stance is to work together where we are able, challenge where we need to, and that's been the ongoing approach of the government in relation to China."