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Keir Starmer has stated 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.

Truce Agreement Hailed as a "Relief to the World"

The prime minister remarked that the initial stage of the deal would be a "relief to the world" and highlighted that the UK had played its own role in private discussions with the United States and negotiators.

Speaking on the final day of his business trip to the Indian subcontinent, Starmer emphasized that the agreement "needs to be put into action in full, without postponement, and paired with the prompt removal of all restrictions on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Nobel Prize Inquiry Answered

However, when questioned if the Nobel prize committee should now grant Trump the coveted award, the Prime Minister implied that time was needed to determine if a longer lasting peace could be achieved.

"The priority now is to move forward and execute this ... my focus now is transitioning this from the stage it's at now ... and make a success of this, because that matters to me above all," he stated at a press conference in Mumbai.

Trade and Investment Revealed During India Visit

Starmer has hailed a series of agreements sealed during his tour to India – his maiden visit there – joined by over a hundred executives and arts figures. The trip marks the passing of the two nations' free trade agreement.

• The UK government has unveiled a slew of investments, from financial technology to university campuses, as well as the production of three Bollywood films in the UK.
• On Thursday, the Prime Minister finalized a defence deal worth £350 million for UK missiles, manufactured in the UK region, to be deployed by the Indian military.

"Our history together is deep, the personal ties between our people are exceptionally strong," Starmer said as he left Mumbai. "Building on our landmark agreement, we are reinventing this alliance for our era."

Digital ID Initiative Examined

Starmer has dedicated time in India analyzing the national digital identification program, including consulting key figures who designed the widespread system utilized by over a billion individuals for social services, transactions, and identification.

He hinted that the UK was interested in expanding the scope of digital ID beyond making it mandatory to prove rights to work. He indicated that the UK would in time look at linking it to banking and transaction networks – on a voluntary basis – as well as for official procedures such as mortgage and school applications.

"It's been taken up on a voluntary basis [in India] in massive scale, partly because it ensures that you can access your own funds, make payments so much more conveniently than is available with others," he noted.

"The efficiency with which it allows residents here to access services, especially financial services, is something that was recognized in our discussions recently, and in fact a Fintech discussion that we had as well. So we're looking at those instances of how digital ID assists individuals with procedures that often take too long and are too cumbersome and makes them easier for them."

Public Support for Reforms

Starmer admitted that the government had to build public support for the reforms to the British public, which have declined sharply in public approval since Starmer announced 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 accompany this ... as has occurred in other countries, 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 confirmed he had raised a number of difficult topics with the Indian leader regarding civil liberties and relations with the Russian Federation, though he appeared to have made little headway. He confirmed that he and Modi discussed how the country was persisting 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 end," he said. "This included a broad spectrum of dialogue, but we outlined the steps that we are taking in regarding energy."

Starmer additionally mentioned he had brought up the situation of the British Sikh activist the individual, from Scotland, who has been detained in an Indian prison for nearly eight years without undergoing a full trial. It is often cited as one of the worst examples of injustice among Britons currently detained overseas.

But, Starmer did not indicate much progress had been made. "Yes, we brought up the consular cases," he stated. "We consistently address them when we have the chance to do so. I must add that the top diplomat is meeting the relatives in coming weeks, as well as discussing it today."

Upcoming Initiatives

Starmer is widely expected to take a similar business-oriented visit to the People's Republic of China in the coming year as part of a effort to ease diplomatic ties between the United Kingdom and the Asian nation.

That relationship is receiving attention because of the collapse of a Chinese spying case, reportedly occurring because the British authorities has been unwilling to provide fresh evidence that the country is deemed a threat.

The Prime Minister clarified the UK was eager to explore other trading relationships but emphasized that a trade deal with the nation was not currently planned. "That's not on our list, for a bilateral pact as such, but our position is to cooperate where we can, confront where we need to, and that's been the ongoing approach of the administration in relation to China."