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The Prime Minister has stated that the Gaza ceasefire agreement "would not have occurred without the leadership of Donald Trump," but stopped short of supporting the US president for a Nobel peace prize.

Ceasefire Deal Hailed as a "Welcome Development to the World"

Starmer commented that the first phase of the agreement would be a "welcome news globally" and noted that the United Kingdom had played its own role behind the scenes with the US and negotiators.

Speaking on the last day of his business trip to the Indian subcontinent, the British leader stressed that the agreement "needs to be put into action in full, without delay, and paired with the prompt removal of all restrictions on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Inquiry Addressed

But, when questioned if the Nobel prize committee should now award Donald Trump the coveted prize, the Prime Minister suggested that more time was needed to know if a durable peace could be attained.

"The priority now is to press on and implement this ... my focus now is transitioning this from the phase it's at now ... and ensure the success of this, because that matters to me more than anything else," he told reporters at a press conference in Mumbai.

Trade and Investment Announced During India Visit

The Prime Minister has hailed a series of agreements finalized during his tour to the country – his maiden visit there – accompanied by over a hundred executives and cultural leaders. The trip marks the implementation of the two nations' trade pact.

• The UK government has unveiled a slew of investments, from fintech to university campuses, as well as the production of multiple Indian movies in the United Kingdom.
• On Thursday, Starmer finalized a military agreement worth £350 million for British-made 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," he said as he departed Mumbai. "Expanding upon our historic trade deal, we are remaking this alliance for our era."

Digital Identification Initiative Examined

Starmer has dedicated time in India analyzing the Indian digital ID system, including meeting principal architects who developed the widespread system used by over a billion individuals for social services, payments, and identification.

He hinted that the UK was interested in expanding the application of digital ID beyond making it mandatory to verify eligibility to work. He proposed that the Britain would eventually look at linking it to financial and payments systems – on a optional basis – as well as for official procedures such as home loan and school applications.

"It's been taken up on a voluntary basis [in India] in massive scale, partly because it ensures that you can retrieve your own money, conduct transactions so much more conveniently than is possible with alternative methods," he explained.

"The speed with which it allows citizens here to access services, especially financial services, is something that was recognized in our talks yesterday, and actually a financial technology 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 overly complex and makes them easier for them."

Popular Backing for Reforms

The Prime Minister admitted that the administration had to build public support for the reforms to the UK citizens, which have plummeted in popularity since he proposed them.

"In my view now we need to go out and make that case the huge benefits ... And I think that the more people see the positive outcomes that accompany this ... as has occurred in different nations, people say: 'That will make my life easier,' and consequently I want to proceed with it," he affirmed.

Human Rights and Global Affairs Addressed

Starmer confirmed he had brought up a range of challenging issues with the Indian premier regarding civil liberties and relations with the Russian Federation, though he appeared to have made minimal progress. He acknowledged that he and Prime Minister Modi discussed how the country was continuing to buy Russian oil, which is facing extensive international restrictions.

"For both Prime Minister Modi and me the priority on resolving this situation and the various steps will be taken to that end," he commented. "And that was a broad spectrum of discussion, but we outlined the steps that we are undertaking in regarding energy."

The Prime Minister additionally said he had brought up the case of the British Sikh activist the individual, from Dumbarton, who has been detained in an Indian prison for nearly eight years without facing a full trial. It is often cited as one of the worst examples of unfair treatment among Britons currently detained abroad.

However, he did not suggest much advancement had been achieved. "Indeed, 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 scheduled to meet the families in the near future, as well as discussing it now."

Upcoming Initiatives

Starmer is widely expected to take a comparable business-oriented visit to the People's Republic of China in the next 12 months as part of a effort to improve diplomatic ties between the UK and the Asian nation.

This bilateral connection 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.

The Prime Minister said the United Kingdom was eager to explore additional commercial partnerships but stated that a commercial agreement with the nation was not currently planned. "It is not a priority, for a trade deal as such, but our stance is to work together where we can, confront where we must, and that's been the ongoing approach of the government in regarding China."