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Keir Starmer has declared that the truce deal in Gaza "could not have happened 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 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 mediators.

Addressing the media on the last day of his business trip to India, Starmer emphasized that the deal "needs to be put into action in full, without postponement, and paired with the immediate lifting of all limitations on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Question Addressed

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

"What matters now is to move forward and implement this ... my focus now is moving this from the phase 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 India's financial capital.

Business Deals Announced During Trip to India

The Prime Minister has hailed a series of agreements finalized during his tour to India – his maiden visit there – accompanied by over a hundred executives and arts figures. The visit signifies the implementation of the two nations' free trade agreement.

• The UK government has announced a range of financial commitments, from fintech to higher education facilities, as well as the production of multiple Indian movies in the UK.
• On Thursday, the Prime Minister finalized a military agreement worth £350 million for UK missiles, manufactured in Northern Ireland, to be used by the Indian army.

"The shared history is deep, the human connections between our citizens are exceptionally strong," Starmer remarked as he left the city. "Expanding upon our historic trade deal, we are reinventing this partnership for our times."

Digital ID System Examined

Starmer has dedicated time in Mumbai analyzing the national digital identification program, including meeting key figures who developed the comprehensive platform utilized by over a billion individuals for benefits, transactions, and verification.

He suggested that the United Kingdom was interested in expanding the scope of digital ID beyond making it mandatory to verify eligibility to work. He proposed that the Britain would in time look at linking it to financial and transaction networks – on a voluntary basis – as well as for administrative tasks such as mortgage and educational enrollments.

"It's been taken up on a voluntary basis [in India] in huge numbers, not least because it ensures that you can access your own money, conduct transactions so much more easily than is possible with others," he explained.

"The speed with which it enables residents here to access services, particularly financial services, is something that was acknowledged in our discussions recently, and in fact a Fintech discussion that we had today. So we're examining those instances of how digital ID helps individuals with processes that sometimes take excessive time and are too cumbersome and simplifies them for them."

Popular Backing for Changes

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

"In my view now we need to go out and advocate for the huge benefits ... And I believe that the greater number of individuals see the benefits that accompany this ... as has occurred in different nations, people say: 'That will make my life easier,' and therefore I want to proceed with it," he stated.

Human Rights and Global Affairs Discussed

The Prime Minister said he had brought up a range of challenging issues with the Indian leader regarding civil liberties and ties with Russia, though he seemed to have made little headway. He acknowledged that he and Prime Minister Modi discussed how India was continuing to buy Russian oil, which is subject to extensive international restrictions.

"For both Prime Minister Modi and me the priority on ending this situation and the multiple measures will be implemented to that end," he commented. "This included a wide range of discussion, but we did set out the steps that we are undertaking in regarding energy."

Starmer additionally said 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 facing a complete legal process. It is often cited as one of the worst examples of injustice among UK nationals still held abroad.

However, he did not indicate much advancement had been made. "Indeed, we did raise the consular cases," he stated. "We always raise them when we have the chance to do so. I must add that the foreign secretary is scheduled to meet the relatives in coming weeks, as well as raising it now."

Upcoming Initiatives

The prime minister is largely anticipated to take a comparable trade-focused visit to the People's Republic of China in the coming year as part of a mission to ease relations between the UK and the Asian nation.

This bilateral connection is under the spotlight because of the dismissal of a Chinese spying case, reportedly occurring because the UK has been reluctant to provide new proof that China is considered a threat.

Starmer clarified the UK was eager to explore other trading relationships but emphasized that a trade deal with China was not currently planned. "It is not a priority, for a bilateral pact as such, but our stance is to work together where we are able, confront where we need to, and that's been the ongoing approach of the administration in regarding China."