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The Prime Minister has asserted that the truce deal in Gaza "would not have occurred without the leadership of Donald Trump," yet avoided endorsing the American leader for a Nobel Prize.

Ceasefire Deal Welcomed as a "Welcome Development to the World"

Starmer remarked that the initial stage of the deal would be a "relief to the world" and noted that the United Kingdom had played its own role behind the scenes with the United States and mediators.

Speaking on the last day of his trade visit to India, Starmer stressed that the agreement "needs to be put into action in full, without delay, and paired with the immediate lifting of all restrictions on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Nobel Prize Question Addressed

However, when questioned if the Nobel prize committee should at this time grant Trump the prestigious award, Starmer implied that time was required 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 phase it's at now ... and make a success of this, because that matters to me above all," he told reporters at a media briefing in Mumbai.

Business Deals Announced During India Visit

Starmer has celebrated a number of deals finalized during his visit to the country – his maiden visit there – joined by 126 business leaders and arts figures. The trip signifies the passing of the countries' free trade agreement.

• The UK government has announced a slew of investments, from financial technology to higher education facilities, as well as the production of multiple Indian movies in the United Kingdom.
• On the final day, Starmer finalized a defence deal worth £350 million for British-made missiles, produced 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 remarked as he departed the city. "Expanding upon our landmark agreement, we are remaking this alliance for our era."

Digital Identification System Studied

Starmer has dedicated time in India analyzing the Indian digital ID system, including consulting principal architects who developed the widespread system used by more than 1 billion people for benefits, transactions, and verification.

He hinted that the UK was interested in expanding the scope of digital identification beyond making it mandatory to verify eligibility to work. He indicated that the Britain would eventually look at linking it to banking and transaction networks – on a voluntary basis – as well as for administrative tasks such as home loan and educational enrollments.

"It's been taken up on a optional basis [in India] in huge numbers, not least because it ensures that you can retrieve your own funds, make payments so much more conveniently than is possible with others," he noted.

"The efficiency with which it enables citizens here to utilize facilities, especially financial services, is something that was acknowledged in our talks yesterday, and in fact a financial technology conversation that we had today. So we're examining those instances of how digital identification assists individuals with processes that sometimes take too long and are too cumbersome and makes them easier for them."

Popular Backing for Changes

Starmer acknowledged that the government had to make the case for the reforms to the British public, which have plummeted in public approval since Starmer proposed 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 positive outcomes that come with this ... as has occurred in different nations, people say: 'That will make my life easier,' and therefore I want to get on with it," he stated.

Rights Issues and Global Affairs Addressed

Starmer said 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. Starmer acknowledged that he and Prime Minister Modi discussed how the country was continuing to buy oil from Russia, which is subject to widespread western sanctions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the priority on resolving this conflict and the multiple measures will be implemented to that purpose," he said. "And that was a broad spectrum of discussion, but we did set out the steps that we are undertaking in regarding energy."

Starmer also mentioned he had brought up the case of the UK-based activist Jagtar Singh Johal, from Scotland, who has been held in an Indian prison for nearly eight years without undergoing a full trial. It is frequently mentioned as one of the worst examples of injustice among Britons currently detained abroad.

However, 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 chance to do so. I should say that the top diplomat is scheduled to meet the families in coming weeks, as well as raising it now."

Upcoming Initiatives

Starmer is largely anticipated to take a similar business-oriented visit to the People's Republic of China in the next 12 months as part of a effort to ease diplomatic ties between the UK and China.

This bilateral connection is under the spotlight because of the collapse of a Chinese spying case, reportedly occurring because the British authorities has been unwilling to provide new proof that the country is considered a security risk.

Starmer said the UK was keen to explore additional commercial partnerships but emphasized that a trade deal with China was not currently planned. "It is not a priority, for a trade deal as such, but our position is to cooperate where we are able, challenge where we need to, and that's been the consistent policy of the administration in regarding China."