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The Prime Minister has declared that the truce deal in Gaza "would not have occurred without the leadership of Donald Trump," yet stopped short of endorsing the American leader for a Nobel peace prize.

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

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

Speaking on the final day of his trade visit to the Indian subcontinent, the British leader stressed that the agreement "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 now grant Trump the prestigious award, the Prime Minister suggested that more time was required to determine if a durable peace could be attained.

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

Business Deals Announced During Trip to India

The Prime Minister has celebrated a number of deals finalized during his visit to the country – his maiden visit there – accompanied by 126 business leaders and arts figures. The visit marks the passing of the two nations' trade pact.

• The UK government has announced a slew of investments, from fintech to university campuses, as well as the production of multiple Indian movies in the UK.
• On the final day, Starmer finalized a defence deal worth £350 million for UK missiles, produced in the UK region, to be deployed by the Indian army.

"Our history together is profound, the human connections between our citizens are truly special," he said as he departed Mumbai. "Building on our landmark agreement, we are remaking this partnership for our times."

Digital Identification Initiative Studied

Starmer has spent time in Mumbai analyzing the Indian digital ID system, including consulting key figures who designed the comprehensive platform utilized by over a billion individuals for benefits, transactions, and identification.

He suggested that the United Kingdom was interested in broadening the scope of digital identification beyond making it mandatory to prove rights to work. He indicated that the Britain would eventually look at linking it to financial and transaction networks – on a optional basis – as well as for administrative tasks such as mortgage and educational enrollments.

"It's been taken up on a voluntary basis [in India] in huge numbers, partly because it means that you can access your own money, make payments so much more conveniently than is possible with others," he explained.

"The efficiency with which it enables citizens here to access services, particularly banking options, is something that was acknowledged in our discussions yesterday, and in fact a Fintech conversation that we had as well. So we're examining those examples of how digital identification assists people with processes that sometimes take too long and are too cumbersome and simplifies them for them."

Popular Backing for Changes

The Prime Minister admitted that the government had to build public support for the initiatives to the UK citizens, which have declined sharply in popularity since Starmer proposed them.

"I think now we need to go out and advocate for the significant advantages ... And I believe that the greater number of individuals see the benefits that accompany this ... as has happened in different nations, citizens 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 raised a number of difficult topics with the Indian premier regarding civil liberties and relations with Russia, though he appeared to have made minimal progress. Starmer confirmed that he and Modi discussed how India was continuing to purchase oil from Russia, which is subject to widespread western sanctions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the focus on resolving this situation and the multiple measures will be taken to that purpose," he commented. "This included a wide range of discussion, but we did set out the steps that we are undertaking in regarding energy."

Starmer additionally mentioned he had raised the situation of the UK-based activist the individual, from Scotland, who has been detained in an Indian prison for almost a decade without undergoing a full trial. It is often cited as one of the most egregious cases of injustice among Britons still held abroad.

But, he did not indicate much progress had been made. "Indeed, we brought up the diplomatic matters," he stated. "We consistently address them when we have the opportunity to do so. I should say that the top diplomat is scheduled to meet the families in the near future, as well as discussing it now."

Future Plans

The prime minister is widely expected to take a comparable business-oriented trip to the People's Republic of China in the coming year as part of a mission to improve diplomatic ties between the UK and China.

That relationship is under the spotlight because of the dismissal of a Chinese spying case, reportedly occurring because the British authorities has been reluctant to provide fresh evidence that the country is deemed a threat.

Starmer said the UK was eager to explore other trading relationships but stated that a commercial agreement with China was not currently planned. "That's not on our list, for a trade deal as such, but our position is to cooperate where we can, confront where we need to, and that's been the consistent policy of the administration in regarding China."