🔗 Share this article

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

Truce Agreement Hailed 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 United Kingdom had played its own role behind the scenes with the United States and negotiators.

Addressing the media on the final day of his trade visit to India, Starmer emphasized that the deal "needs to be put into action in full, without postponement, and accompanied by the prompt removal of all limitations on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Inquiry Addressed

However, when asked if the Nobel committee should at this time award Trump the prestigious prize, the Prime Minister implied that more time was needed to determine if a durable peace could be achieved.

"What matters now is to press on and execute this ... my attention now is transitioning this from the stage it's at now ... and make a success of this, because that is important to me above all," he told reporters at a press conference in Mumbai.

Trade and Investment Announced During Trip to India

Starmer has celebrated a series of agreements finalized during his visit to India – his maiden visit there – accompanied by 126 business leaders and arts figures. The visit marks the passing of the countries' trade pact.

• The UK government has announced a range of financial commitments, from financial technology to higher education facilities, as well as the making of multiple Indian movies in the UK.
• On Thursday, the Prime Minister finalized a military agreement worth £350 million for UK missiles, produced in Northern Ireland, to be used by the Indian army.

"Our history together is profound, the human connections between our people are exceptionally strong," he said as he left the city. "Expanding upon our landmark agreement, we are remaking this alliance for our era."

Digital Identification Initiative Studied

Starmer has spent time in Mumbai studying the Indian digital ID system, including meeting principal architects who developed the widespread system used by more than 1 billion people for benefits, transactions, and verification.

He hinted that the United Kingdom was considering broadening the application of digital identification beyond making it compulsory to prove rights to work. He proposed 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 mortgage and school applications.

"It has been adopted on a optional basis [in India] in huge numbers, not least because it means that you can access your own money, make payments so much more easily than is available with alternative methods," he noted.

"The efficiency with which it enables residents here to access services, particularly financial services, is something that was recognized in our discussions yesterday, and actually a financial technology conversation that we had today. So we're examining those examples of how digital ID 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 acknowledged that the government had to build public support for the initiatives to the British public, which have plummeted in public approval since he proposed them.

"In my view now we need to go out and advocate for the huge benefits ... And I think that the more people see the positive outcomes that come with this ... as has happened in other countries, citizens say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and therefore I want to proceed with it," he stated.

Rights Issues and Global Affairs Discussed

Starmer confirmed he had brought up a range of challenging issues with the Indian leader regarding civil liberties and relations with Russia, though he appeared to have made little headway. He acknowledged that he and Modi discussed how the country was continuing to buy oil from Russia, which is facing widespread western sanctions.

"For both Prime Minister Modi and me the focus on resolving this conflict and the various steps will be taken to that purpose," he commented. "This included a wide range of dialogue, but we outlined the steps that we are taking in relation to energy."

Starmer also mentioned he had brought up the situation of the UK-based activist the individual, from Scotland, who has been detained in an Indian jail for nearly eight years without facing a complete legal process. It is frequently mentioned as one of the most egregious cases of injustice among Britons currently detained overseas.

However, he did not suggest much advancement had been achieved. "Indeed, we did raise the consular cases," he said. "We consistently address them when we have the chance to do so. I must add that the foreign secretary is scheduled to meet the families in coming weeks, as well as raising it now."

Upcoming Initiatives

The prime minister is widely expected to take a comparable trade-focused visit to China in the coming year as part of a mission to ease diplomatic ties between the UK and China.

That relationship is receiving attention because of the dismissal of a espionage investigation, reportedly occurring because the UK has been unwilling to provide new proof that China is deemed a threat.

Starmer clarified the United Kingdom was keen to explore other trading relationships but stated that a trade deal with the nation was not on the agenda. "It is not a priority, for a bilateral pact as such, but our position is to cooperate where we are able, confront where we need to, and that's been the ongoing approach of the administration in relation to China."