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The Prime Minister has stated that the truce deal in Gaza "could not have happened without the leadership of Donald Trump," but avoided endorsing the US president for a Nobel Prize.

Truce Agreement Hailed as a "Welcome Development to the World"

The prime minister commented that the initial stage of the agreement would be a "relief to the world" and noted that the United Kingdom had contributed significantly behind the scenes with the US and mediators.

Speaking on the last day of his trade visit to the Indian subcontinent, the British leader emphasized that the agreement "needs to be put into action in full, without delay, and accompanied by the prompt removal of all restrictions on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Question Answered

However, when asked if the Nobel committee should at this time grant Trump the prestigious award, the Prime Minister suggested that more time was needed to know if a durable peace could be achieved.

"What matters now is to press on and implement this ... my focus now is transitioning this from the phase it's at now ... and ensure the success of this, because that is important to me above all," he stated at a media briefing in India's financial capital.

Trade and Investment Announced During India Visit

The Prime Minister has celebrated a series of agreements finalized during his visit to India – his first time there – accompanied by 126 business leaders and arts figures. The trip marks the implementation of the countries' trade pact.

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

"The shared history is deep, the personal ties between our citizens are exceptionally strong," Starmer remarked as he departed the city. "Building on our landmark agreement, we are remaking this alliance for our times."

Digital ID System Studied

The Prime Minister has dedicated time in India analyzing the national digital identification program, including meeting key figures who designed the widespread system utilized by over a billion individuals for benefits, transactions, and identification.

The prime minister hinted that the United Kingdom was interested in broadening the scope of digital identification beyond making it compulsory to prove rights to work. He indicated that the UK would eventually look at linking it to financial and transaction networks – on a voluntary basis – as well as for administrative tasks such as home loan and school applications.

"It has been adopted on a optional basis [in India] in huge numbers, not least because it ensures that you can access your own funds, conduct transactions so much more easily than is possible with others," he noted.

"The efficiency with which it allows citizens here to utilize facilities, particularly financial services, is something that was recognized in our talks yesterday, and in fact a financial technology discussion that we had today. So we're looking at those instances of how digital identification helps individuals with procedures that sometimes take excessive time and are overly complex and simplifies them for them."

Popular Backing for Reforms

Starmer acknowledged that the administration had to build public support for the initiatives to the UK citizens, which have plummeted in popularity since Starmer announced them.

"I think now we need to go out and advocate for the huge benefits ... And I believe that the more people see the positive outcomes that accompany this ... as has occurred in other countries, citizens say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and consequently I want to get on with it," he affirmed.

Rights Issues and International Relations Discussed

The Prime Minister confirmed he had brought up a number of difficult topics with the Indian leader regarding human rights and relations with the Russian Federation, though he appeared to have made little headway. He confirmed that he and Prime Minister Modi talked about how the country was persisting to purchase oil from Russia, which is facing extensive international restrictions.

"For both Prime Minister Modi and me the priority on resolving this conflict and the multiple measures will be implemented to that end," he commented. "This included a broad spectrum of discussion, but we outlined the steps that we are undertaking in regarding energy."

Starmer additionally mentioned he had brought up the situation of the UK-based activist Jagtar Singh Johal, 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 injustice among Britons currently detained overseas.

However, he did not indicate much progress had been made. "Yes, 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 scheduled to meet the relatives in the near future, as well as discussing it today."

Future Plans

Starmer is largely anticipated to take a comparable trade-focused visit to the People's Republic of China in the next 12 months as part of a mission to ease diplomatic ties between the UK and the Asian nation.

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

The Prime Minister clarified the United Kingdom was keen to pursue other trading relationships but emphasized that a trade deal with the nation was not on the agenda. "That's not on our list, for a bilateral pact as such, but our position is to cooperate where we are able, confront where we need to, and that's been the consistent policy of the government in regarding China."