🔗 Share this article

The Prime Minister has asserted that the Gaza ceasefire agreement "could not have happened without President Trump's leadership," but stopped short of supporting the American leader for a Nobel Prize.

Truce Agreement Hailed as a "Relief to the Globe"

The prime minister commented that the first phase of the agreement would be a "welcome news globally" and highlighted that the UK had contributed significantly in private discussions with the US and negotiators.

Addressing the media on the final day of his trade visit to the Indian subcontinent, Starmer stressed that the deal "must now be implemented in full, without postponement, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Inquiry Addressed

But, when questioned if the Nobel committee should now award Trump the coveted prize, the Prime Minister implied that more time was required to determine if a longer lasting peace could be achieved.

"What matters now is to move forward and execute this ... my focus now is moving 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.

Trade and Investment Announced During Trip to India

Starmer has hailed a series of agreements finalized during his visit to the country – his maiden visit there – joined by over a hundred executives and cultural leaders. The visit signifies the implementation of the two nations' trade pact.

• The UK government has unveiled a slew of investments, from financial technology to higher education facilities, as well as the production of multiple Indian movies in the United Kingdom.
• On the final day, the Prime Minister finalized a military agreement 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 remarked as he departed the city. "Building on our landmark agreement, 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 key figures who designed the widespread system used by more than 1 billion people for benefits, payments, and verification.

The prime minister suggested that the United Kingdom was interested in broadening the scope of digital ID beyond making it mandatory to prove rights to work. He indicated that the Britain would eventually look at connecting it to banking and transaction networks – on a optional basis – as well as for official procedures such as home loan and school applications.

"It has been adopted 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 available with others," he explained.

"The efficiency with which it enables residents here to access services, especially banking options, is something that was recognized in our discussions recently, and actually a Fintech conversation that we had as well. So we're examining those examples of how digital ID helps people with procedures that often take excessive time and are too cumbersome and makes them easier for them."

Public Support for Reforms

The Prime Minister admitted that the government had to make the case for the initiatives 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 significant advantages ... And I believe that the more people see the positive outcomes that accompany this ... as has happened in different nations, people say: 'That will make my life easier,' and therefore I want to proceed with it," he affirmed.

Human Rights and Global Affairs Addressed

The Prime Minister confirmed he had brought up a number of difficult topics with the Indian leader regarding civil liberties and relations with Russia, though he seemed to have made minimal progress. He acknowledged that he and Prime Minister Modi talked about how India was persisting to purchase Russian oil, which is subject to extensive international restrictions.

"For both Prime Minister Modi and me the priority on ending this conflict and the multiple measures will be taken to that end," he commented. "This included a wide range of discussion, but we did set out the actions that we are undertaking in relation to energy."

The Prime Minister additionally said he had raised the situation of the British Sikh activist the individual, from Dumbarton, who has been detained in an Indian prison for almost a decade without facing a full trial. It is frequently mentioned as one of the most egregious cases of injustice among UK nationals currently detained abroad.

However, he did not indicate much advancement had been achieved. "Indeed, we brought up the diplomatic matters," he said. "We consistently address them when we have the opportunity to do so. I must add that the top diplomat is scheduled to meet the relatives in the near future, as well as raising it now."

Upcoming Initiatives

The prime minister is largely anticipated 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 United Kingdom and China.

That relationship is receiving attention because of the collapse of a Chinese spying case, said to have happened because the British authorities has been reluctant to provide new proof that China is considered a security risk.

The Prime Minister clarified the UK was eager to pursue additional commercial partnerships but stated that a commercial agreement with China was not on the agenda. "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."