🔗 Share this article

Keir Starmer has declared that the truce deal in Gaza "could not have happened without the leadership of Donald Trump," but avoided endorsing the American leader for a Nobel Prize.

Ceasefire Deal Welcomed as a "Relief to the World"

The prime minister remarked that the initial stage of the deal would be a "welcome news globally" and highlighted that the UK had played its own role in private discussions with the US and negotiators.

Addressing the media on the final day of his business trip to India, the British leader emphasized that the agreement "must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the prompt removal of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Question Answered

But, when asked if the Nobel prize committee should at this time award Donald Trump the prestigious award, Starmer suggested that more time was needed to determine if a durable peace could be attained.

"What matters now is to move forward and implement this ... my focus now is transitioning this from the phase it's at now ... and make a success of this, because that is important to me more than anything else," he told reporters at a press conference in India's financial capital.

Business Deals Announced During Trip to India

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

• The UK government has unveiled a range of financial commitments, from fintech to higher education facilities, as well as the making of multiple Indian movies in the UK.
• On Thursday, Starmer signed a defence deal worth £350 million for UK missiles, produced in Northern Ireland, to be used by the Indian military.

"Our history together is deep, the human connections between our people are exceptionally strong," he said as he left Mumbai. "Expanding upon our historic trade deal, we are remaking this alliance for our times."

Digital Identification Initiative Examined

Starmer has dedicated time in Mumbai studying the Indian digital ID system, including consulting principal architects who designed the comprehensive platform used by over a billion individuals for benefits, transactions, and identification.

He suggested that the UK was considering broadening the application of digital ID beyond making it mandatory to verify eligibility to work. He indicated that the Britain would eventually look at linking it to banking and transaction networks – on a optional basis – as well as for official procedures such as mortgage and educational enrollments.

"It has been adopted on a optional basis [in India] in massive scale, partly because it ensures that you can access your own funds, conduct transactions so much more easily than is possible with others," he noted.

"The efficiency with which it enables citizens here to access services, especially banking options, is something that was recognized in our talks recently, and in fact a Fintech conversation that we had today. So we're looking at those instances of how digital identification helps people with processes that often take too long and are too cumbersome and makes them easier for them."

Public Support for Changes

The Prime Minister admitted that the administration had to build public support for the reforms to the UK citizens, which have declined sharply in public approval since Starmer announced them.

"I think now we need to go out and make that case the huge benefits ... And I think that the greater number of individuals see the positive outcomes that accompany this ... as has occurred in other countries, people say: 'That will make my life easier,' and therefore I want to get on with it," he affirmed.

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 ties with the Russian Federation, though he seemed to have made minimal progress. Starmer confirmed that he and Modi talked about how the country was persisting to buy Russian oil, which is subject to extensive international restrictions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the priority on resolving this situation and the multiple measures will be implemented to that purpose," he said. "And that was a wide range of discussion, but we did set out the actions that we are taking in relation to energy."

The Prime Minister also said he had brought up the case of the UK-based activist Jagtar Singh Johal, from Scotland, who has been detained in an Indian prison for almost a decade without facing a complete legal process. It is often cited as one of the most egregious cases of unfair treatment among Britons still held abroad.

However, Starmer did not indicate much progress had been achieved. "Yes, we brought up the diplomatic matters," he said. "We always raise them when we have the chance to do so. I should say that the top diplomat is meeting the families in coming weeks, as well as raising it now."

Future Plans

Starmer is largely anticipated to take a similar 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 United Kingdom and the Asian nation.

This bilateral connection is receiving attention because of the dismissal of a Chinese spying case, reportedly occurring because the UK has been unwilling to provide new proof that China is deemed a security risk.

The Prime Minister clarified 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 bilateral pact as such, but our stance is to cooperate where we can, challenge where we must, and this has been the consistent policy of the government in relation to China."