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Keir Starmer has declared that the truce deal in Gaza "would not have occurred without the leadership of Donald Trump," yet stopped short of endorsing the American leader for a Nobel peace 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 "welcome news globally" and noted that the United Kingdom had played its own role in private discussions with the US and mediators.

Addressing the media on the final day of his business trip to the Indian subcontinent, Starmer emphasized 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 Inquiry Answered

But, when questioned if the Nobel prize committee should now award Trump the coveted award, Starmer suggested that more time was required to know if a durable peace could be achieved.

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

Business Deals Revealed During Trip to India

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

• No 10 has unveiled a slew of investments, from fintech to university campuses, as well as the production of three Bollywood films in the UK.
• On Thursday, Starmer finalized a defence deal worth £350 million for UK missiles, produced in the UK region, to be deployed by the Indian military.

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

Digital Identification Initiative Examined

The Prime Minister has spent time in Mumbai studying the Indian digital ID system, including meeting key figures who developed the widespread system utilized by more than 1 billion people for social services, payments, and verification.

He suggested that the UK was interested in broadening the scope of digital identification beyond making it mandatory to verify eligibility to work. He proposed that the UK would in time look at linking it to banking and payments systems – on a voluntary basis – as well as for administrative tasks such as home loan and school applications.

"It's been taken up on a voluntary basis [in India] in huge numbers, partly because it means that you can access your own funds, conduct transactions so much more conveniently than is possible with alternative methods," he noted.

"The efficiency with which it enables residents here to access services, especially banking options, is something that was recognized in our talks recently, and in fact a Fintech conversation that we had today. So we're looking at those examples of how digital identification helps individuals with procedures that sometimes take too long and are too cumbersome and simplifies them for them."

Popular Backing for Changes

The Prime Minister acknowledged that the government had to make the case for the reforms to the UK citizens, which have declined sharply in public approval since Starmer proposed them.

"In my view now we need to go out and make that case the significant advantages ... And I think that the greater number of individuals see the benefits that come with this ... as has happened in other countries, citizens say: 'That will make my life easier,' and therefore I want to get on with it," he stated.

Human Rights and Global Affairs Addressed

Starmer confirmed he had brought up a range of challenging issues with the Indian leader regarding civil liberties and relations with Russia, though he appeared to have made little headway. Starmer acknowledged that he and Modi discussed how the country was continuing to purchase oil from Russia, which is subject to widespread western sanctions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the focus on ending this conflict and the various steps will be taken to that purpose," he said. "This included a broad spectrum of dialogue, but we outlined the actions that we are taking in regarding energy."

Starmer additionally said he had raised the situation of the UK-based activist the individual, from Scotland, who has been detained in an Indian prison 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, Starmer did not suggest much progress had been achieved. "Indeed, we did raise the consular cases," he said. "We consistently address them when we have the chance to do so. I should say that the top diplomat is scheduled to meet the families in the near future, as well as raising it now."

Upcoming Initiatives

The prime minister is largely anticipated to take a similar trade-focused visit to the People's Republic of China in the coming year as part of a effort to improve diplomatic ties between the UK and China.

That relationship is receiving attention because of the collapse of a espionage investigation, reportedly occurring because the British authorities has been unwilling to provide new proof that the country is deemed a threat.

Starmer said the United Kingdom was eager to explore other trading relationships but stated 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 stance is to work together where we can, confront where we must, and this has been the consistent policy of the government in relation to China."