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The Prime Minister has asserted that the Gaza ceasefire agreement "would not have occurred without the leadership of Donald Trump," but stopped short of supporting the American leader for a Nobel Prize.

Truce Agreement Welcomed 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 noted that the UK had played its own role in private discussions with the US and negotiators.

Addressing the media on the last day of his trade visit to the Indian subcontinent, the British leader emphasized that the deal "needs to be put into action in full, without delay, and paired with the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Inquiry Answered

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

"The priority now is to press on and implement this ... my attention now is moving this from the stage it's at now ... and make a 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 India Visit

The Prime Minister has hailed a number of deals sealed during his visit to India – his maiden visit there – accompanied by over a hundred executives and arts figures. The trip signifies the passing of the two nations' free trade agreement.

• The UK government has unveiled a slew of investments, from fintech to higher education facilities, as well as the making of multiple Indian movies in the United Kingdom.
• On the final day, the Prime Minister signed a defence deal worth £350m for British-made missiles, produced in the UK region, to be used by the Indian army.

"The shared history is deep, the human connections between our citizens are exceptionally strong," Starmer remarked as he departed the city. "Expanding upon our landmark agreement, we are remaking this alliance for our era."

Digital Identification System Examined

The Prime Minister has dedicated time in Mumbai analyzing the national digital identification program, including meeting key figures who designed the widespread system used by over a billion individuals for benefits, payments, and identification.

The prime minister hinted that the UK was interested in broadening the scope of digital identification beyond making it compulsory to verify eligibility to work. He proposed that the Britain would in time look at linking it to financial and payments systems – on a voluntary basis – as well as for official procedures such as mortgage and school applications.

"It's been taken up on a optional basis [in India] in huge numbers, partly because it means that you can access your own money, make payments so much more easily than is possible 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 talks recently, and in fact a Fintech conversation that we had today. So we're examining those instances of how digital identification helps individuals with processes that often take excessive time and are overly complex and makes them easier for them."

Public Support for Changes

Starmer admitted that the administration had to build public support for the reforms to the British public, which have declined sharply in popularity since Starmer announced them.

"I think now we need to go out and advocate for the significant advantages ... And I think that the greater number of individuals see the benefits that come with this ... as has happened in other countries, people say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and consequently I want to get on with it," he affirmed.

Human Rights and Global Affairs Discussed

Starmer confirmed he had raised a number of difficult topics with the Indian premier regarding human rights and ties with the Russian Federation, though he seemed to have made little headway. Starmer acknowledged that he and Modi talked about how the country was persisting to purchase Russian oil, which is subject to widespread western sanctions.

"For both Prime Minister Modi and me the priority on ending this situation and the multiple measures will be taken to that purpose," he said. "This included a wide range of discussion, but we did set out the steps that we are taking in relation to energy."

The Prime Minister also said he had raised the situation of the British Sikh activist Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, who has been held in an Indian jail for almost a decade without facing a complete legal process. It is often cited as one of the most egregious cases of injustice among Britons currently detained overseas.

But, Starmer did not indicate much advancement had been made. "Yes, we brought up the diplomatic matters," he stated. "We always raise them when we have the chance to do so. I should say that the top diplomat is scheduled to meet the relatives in coming weeks, as well as discussing it now."

Future Plans

The prime minister is widely expected to take a similar business-oriented trip to China in the coming year as part of a effort to ease diplomatic ties between the UK and China.

This bilateral connection is under the spotlight because of the collapse of a Chinese spying case, reportedly occurring because the British authorities has been unwilling to provide fresh evidence that the country is considered a security risk.

The Prime Minister said the United Kingdom was eager to pursue additional commercial partnerships but emphasized that a trade deal with the nation was not on the agenda. "That's not on our list, for a bilateral pact as such, but our position is to work together where we are able, challenge where we must, and this has been the consistent policy of the government in regarding China."