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Keir Starmer has asserted that the Gaza ceasefire agreement "would not have occurred without President Trump's leadership," yet avoided supporting the US president for a Nobel peace prize.

Ceasefire Deal Welcomed as a "Welcome Development to the Globe"

Starmer remarked that the initial stage of the deal would be a "relief to the world" and noted that the UK had contributed significantly in private discussions with the United States and mediators.

Speaking on the last day of his business trip to India, the British leader emphasized that the deal "must now be implemented in full, without postponement, and paired with the prompt removal of all limitations on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Nobel Prize Inquiry Addressed

But, when asked if the Nobel prize committee should at this time award Donald Trump the prestigious prize, the Prime Minister implied that more time was required to determine if a longer lasting peace could be attained.

"What matters now is to press on 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 Revealed During India Visit

The Prime Minister has celebrated a series of agreements sealed during his visit to the country – his first time there – accompanied by over a hundred executives and arts figures. The trip signifies the implementation of the countries' free trade agreement.

• No 10 has unveiled a range of financial commitments, from fintech to university campuses, as well as the production of multiple Indian movies in the UK.
• On Thursday, the Prime Minister signed a defence deal worth £350 million for British-made missiles, manufactured in Northern Ireland, to be used by the Indian army.

"Our history together is profound, the personal ties between our people are truly special," Starmer remarked as he departed the city. "Expanding upon our historic trade deal, we are reinventing this alliance 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.

The prime minister suggested that the UK was considering broadening the application of digital identification beyond making it compulsory to verify eligibility to work. He indicated 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 educational enrollments.

"It's been taken up on a optional basis [in India] in massive scale, not least because it ensures that you can retrieve your own funds, make payments so much more easily than is possible with others," he explained.

"The speed with which it enables residents here to utilize facilities, especially financial services, is something that was acknowledged in our discussions yesterday, and in fact a Fintech conversation that we had as well. So we're looking at those examples of how digital identification assists people with procedures that sometimes take too long and are too cumbersome and simplifies them for them."

Public Support for Changes

Starmer admitted that the government had to make the case for the initiatives to the British public, which have plummeted in popularity since Starmer proposed them.

"In my view now we need to go out and make that case the huge benefits ... And I believe that the more people see the benefits that come with this ... as has occurred in other countries, citizens say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and consequently I want to proceed with it," he stated.

Human Rights and Global Affairs Discussed

Starmer confirmed he had brought up a range of challenging issues with the Indian premier regarding civil liberties and ties with the Russian Federation, though he seemed to have made minimal progress. He acknowledged that he and Prime Minister Modi talked about how India was continuing to buy Russian oil, which is subject to widespread western sanctions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the focus on resolving this situation and the various steps will be taken to that end," he said. "This included a wide range of dialogue, but we outlined the actions that we are taking in regarding energy."

The Prime Minister additionally mentioned he had brought up the situation of the UK-based activist the individual, from Dumbarton, who has been detained in an Indian jail for nearly eight years without facing a full trial. It is often cited as one of the most egregious cases of unfair treatment among UK nationals still held overseas.

But, he did not indicate much progress had been achieved. "Yes, we brought up the consular cases," he said. "We consistently address them when we have the opportunity to do so. I should say that the foreign secretary is scheduled to meet the families in the near future, as well as raising it today."

Future Plans

Starmer is widely expected to take a similar business-oriented visit to China in the coming year as part of a mission to improve diplomatic ties between the United Kingdom and the Asian nation.

This bilateral connection is under the spotlight because of the collapse of a espionage investigation, reportedly occurring because the British authorities has been reluctant to provide fresh evidence that the country is considered a threat.

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