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Keir Starmer has declared that the Gaza ceasefire agreement "could not have happened without the leadership of Donald Trump," but stopped short of supporting the American leader for a Nobel peace prize.

Ceasefire Deal Welcomed as a "Relief to the Globe"

Starmer remarked that the initial stage of the deal would be a "welcome news globally" and noted that the United Kingdom had contributed significantly in private discussions with the United States and negotiators.

Addressing the media on the last day of his business trip to India, the British leader stressed that the deal "needs to be put into action in full, without postponement, and accompanied by the prompt removal of all restrictions on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Nobel Prize Question Addressed

However, when questioned if the Nobel prize committee should at this time award Donald Trump the coveted prize, Starmer implied that more time was needed to know if a durable peace could be achieved.

"The priority now is to press on and implement this ... my attention now is transitioning this from the stage 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 Mumbai.

Business Deals Revealed During India Visit

The Prime Minister has hailed a number of deals sealed during his tour to India – his first time there – joined by 126 business leaders and arts figures. The trip marks the passing of the two nations' trade pact.

• No 10 has announced a range of financial commitments, from fintech to university campuses, as well as the making of multiple Indian movies in the United Kingdom.
• On the final day, Starmer signed a military agreement worth £350m for British-made missiles, manufactured in Northern Ireland, to be deployed by the Indian army.

"Our history together is profound, the human connections between our citizens are exceptionally strong," Starmer remarked as he left the city. "Expanding upon our historic trade deal, we are remaking this partnership for our era."

Digital Identification Initiative Studied

Starmer has dedicated time in India studying the national digital identification program, including meeting principal architects who designed the widespread system utilized by over a billion individuals for social services, payments, and verification.

He hinted that the United Kingdom was considering broadening the application of digital ID 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 official procedures such as home loan and school applications.

"It has been adopted 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 conveniently than is available with alternative methods," he explained.

"The speed with which it allows citizens 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 as well. So we're looking at those examples of how digital identification helps people with processes that often take excessive time and are too cumbersome and simplifies them for them."

Public Support for Changes

Starmer acknowledged that the administration had to make the case for the initiatives to the British public, which have plummeted in public approval since Starmer announced them.

"In my view now we need to go out and advocate for the significant advantages ... And I believe that the greater number of individuals see the positive outcomes that accompany this ... as has occurred in different nations, citizens say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and consequently I want to proceed with it," he stated.

Rights Issues and Global Affairs Addressed

The Prime Minister confirmed he had raised a number of difficult topics with the Indian leader regarding civil liberties and ties with Russia, though he appeared to have made little headway. He acknowledged that he and Prime Minister Modi discussed how the country was continuing to purchase Russian oil, which is facing widespread western sanctions.

"For both Prime Minister Modi and me the priority on ending this conflict and the multiple measures will be implemented to that end," he commented. "This included a broad spectrum of dialogue, but we did set out the actions that we are undertaking in regarding energy."

Starmer additionally said he had brought up the situation of the British Sikh activist Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, who has been held in an Indian prison for nearly eight years without facing a full trial. It is often cited as one of the worst examples of injustice among Britons still held overseas.

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

Future Plans

The prime minister is largely anticipated to take a comparable business-oriented trip to the People's Republic of China in the coming year as part of a effort to ease relations between the United Kingdom and the Asian nation.

This bilateral connection is under the spotlight because of the collapse of a Chinese spying case, reportedly occurring because the UK has been unwilling to provide fresh evidence that China is deemed a security risk.

The Prime Minister said the UK was eager to explore other trading relationships but emphasized that a commercial agreement with the nation was not on the agenda. "That's not on our list, for a trade deal as such, but our position is to work together where we are able, challenge where we need to, and that's been the ongoing approach of the administration in regarding China."