Starmer Commends President Trump's Gaza Truce Deal – However Declines of Peace Prize Backing

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

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

Starmer commented that the initial stage of the agreement would be a "welcome news globally" and highlighted that the United Kingdom had played its own role in private discussions with the United States and mediators.

Speaking on the last day of his trade visit to India, the British leader emphasized that the agreement "needs to be put into action in full, without postponement, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all limitations on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Nobel Prize Question Addressed

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

"What matters now is to move forward and execute this ... my focus now is transitioning this from the stage it's at now ... and ensure the success of this, because that matters to me above all," he told reporters at a press conference in India's financial capital.

Business Deals Announced During India Visit

Starmer has celebrated a number of deals sealed during his tour to India – his first time there – accompanied by 126 business leaders and cultural leaders. The trip marks the passing of the countries' trade pact.

• No 10 has unveiled a slew of investments, from fintech to university campuses, as well as the making of three Bollywood films in the UK.
• On Thursday, the Prime Minister signed a military agreement worth £350m for UK missiles, manufactured 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 said as he departed Mumbai. "Expanding upon our landmark agreement, we are remaking this alliance for our era."

Digital Identification System Studied

The Prime Minister has spent time in India analyzing the Indian digital ID system, including meeting key figures who developed the comprehensive platform utilized by more than 1 billion people for benefits, payments, and verification.

He hinted that the United Kingdom was considering broadening the scope of digital identification beyond making it mandatory to prove rights to work. He proposed that the Britain would eventually look at connecting it to financial and payments systems – on a voluntary basis – as well as for official procedures such as mortgage and educational enrollments.

"It has been adopted on a optional basis [in India] in massive scale, not least because it ensures that you can access your own money, conduct transactions so much more conveniently than is possible with alternative methods," he noted.

"The efficiency with which it allows citizens here to utilize facilities, particularly financial services, is something that was recognized in our talks recently, and in fact a Fintech conversation that we had as well. So we're examining those examples of how digital identification assists individuals with procedures that sometimes take excessive time and are too cumbersome and makes them easier for them."

Popular Backing for Reforms

Starmer acknowledged that the government had to build public support for the initiatives to the British public, which have declined sharply in popularity since Starmer proposed them.

"In my view now we need to go out and make that case the huge benefits ... And I think that the greater number of individuals see the positive outcomes that come with this ... as has occurred in other countries, citizens say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and therefore I want to proceed with it," he affirmed.

Human Rights and Global Affairs Addressed

The Prime Minister confirmed he had brought up a range of challenging issues with the Indian premier regarding civil liberties and relations with Russia, though he seemed to have made minimal progress. Starmer acknowledged that he and Modi discussed how India was persisting to buy Russian oil, which is subject to extensive international restrictions.

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

The Prime Minister also mentioned he had raised the case of the UK-based activist Jagtar Singh Johal, from Scotland, who has been held in an Indian jail for nearly eight years without undergoing a full trial. It is often cited as one of the most egregious cases of injustice among UK nationals currently detained abroad.

However, Starmer did not indicate much advancement had been achieved. "Yes, we brought up the diplomatic matters," he stated. "We always raise them when we have the chance to do so. I must add that the top diplomat is scheduled to meet the families in coming weeks, as well as raising it today."

Upcoming Initiatives

Starmer is widely expected to take a similar trade-focused visit to the People's Republic of China in the coming year as part of a effort 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 British authorities has been reluctant to provide new proof that China is considered a threat.

The Prime Minister said the United Kingdom was eager to pursue other trading relationships but stated that a trade deal with China was not currently planned. "That's not on our list, for a trade deal as such, but our stance is to cooperate where we are able, challenge where we need to, and that's been the ongoing approach of the administration in relation to China."