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Keir Starmer has declared that the truce deal in Gaza "would not have occurred without the leadership of Donald Trump," but stopped short of supporting the American leader for a Nobel Prize.

Truce Agreement Hailed as a "Welcome Development to the World"

Starmer remarked 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 United States and negotiators.

Speaking on the final day of his trade visit to the Indian subcontinent, Starmer stressed that the agreement "must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all limitations on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Inquiry Addressed

However, when questioned if the Nobel prize committee should at this time grant Donald Trump the coveted award, Starmer suggested that time was required to determine if a durable peace could be achieved.

"What matters now is to move forward and implement this ... my focus now is transitioning this from the stage it's at now ... and make a success of this, because that matters to me above all," he told reporters at a media briefing in India's financial capital.

Trade and Investment Revealed During Trip to India

The Prime Minister has hailed a number of deals finalized during his visit to India – his first time there – joined by 126 business leaders and cultural leaders. The trip marks the passing of the two nations' free trade agreement.

• The UK government has unveiled a slew of investments, from financial technology to higher education facilities, as well as the production of three Bollywood films in the UK.
• On Thursday, Starmer finalized a defence deal worth £350 million for UK missiles, manufactured in the UK region, to be deployed by the Indian army.

"The shared history is profound, the human connections between our citizens are exceptionally strong," he said as he left Mumbai. "Building on our historic trade deal, we are remaking this partnership for our era."

Digital Identification System Examined

The Prime Minister has dedicated time in India studying the Indian digital ID system, including consulting principal architects who developed the widespread system used by more than 1 billion people for benefits, payments, and verification.

The prime minister hinted that the UK was considering broadening the scope of digital identification beyond making it compulsory to verify eligibility to work. He indicated that the Britain would in time look at connecting it to financial and payments systems – on a optional basis – as well as for official procedures 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 retrieve your own funds, make payments so much more easily than is possible with others," he noted.

"The speed with which it allows residents here to access services, especially banking options, is something that was recognized in our talks recently, and actually a financial technology conversation that we had as well. So we're examining those examples of how digital identification helps individuals with processes that sometimes take excessive time and are overly complex and makes them easier for them."

Popular Backing for Changes

Starmer admitted that the administration had to build public support for the initiatives to the UK citizens, which have declined sharply in public approval since Starmer proposed them.

"I think now we need to go out and advocate for the huge benefits ... And I believe that the more people see the positive outcomes that come with this ... as has occurred in different nations, people say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and therefore I want to get on with it," he affirmed.

Human Rights and International Relations Discussed

Starmer said he had brought up a number of difficult topics with the Indian premier regarding human rights and ties with the Russian Federation, though he appeared to have made little headway. Starmer confirmed that he and Modi talked about how India was persisting to buy oil from Russia, which is facing extensive international restrictions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the focus on resolving this conflict and the multiple measures will be taken to that purpose," he commented. "This included a broad spectrum of discussion, but we outlined the actions that we are taking in regarding energy."

Starmer additionally said he had raised the case of the UK-based activist Jagtar Singh Johal, from Scotland, who has been detained in an Indian jail for nearly eight years without undergoing a complete legal process. It is frequently mentioned as one of the worst examples of injustice among Britons currently detained abroad.

But, Starmer did not suggest much progress had been achieved. "Indeed, we brought up the diplomatic matters," he stated. "We consistently address them when we have the chance to do so. I should say that the top diplomat is meeting the families in the near future, as well as raising it today."

Upcoming Initiatives

The prime minister is widely expected to take a comparable trade-focused visit to the People's Republic of China in the next 12 months as part of a mission to improve diplomatic ties between the UK and the Asian nation.

This bilateral connection is under the spotlight because of the collapse of a espionage investigation, said to have happened because the British authorities has been reluctant to provide new proof that China is deemed a security risk.

Starmer 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 position is to work together where we are able, confront where we must, and this has been the ongoing approach of the administration in relation to China."