🔗 Share this article

Keir Starmer has declared that the truce deal in Gaza "could not have happened without President Trump's leadership," yet stopped short of endorsing the American leader for a Nobel peace prize.

Truce Agreement Welcomed 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 behind the scenes with the US and mediators.

Speaking on the final day of his business trip to the Indian subcontinent, the British leader stressed that the agreement "needs to be put into action in full, without postponement, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Question Addressed

But, when asked if the Nobel committee should now award Trump the coveted prize, the Prime Minister implied that more time was needed to know 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 phase 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 Announced During Trip to India

The Prime Minister has celebrated a series of agreements sealed during his tour to India – his maiden visit there – accompanied by 126 business leaders and arts figures. The trip marks the implementation of the two nations' free trade agreement.

• The UK government has unveiled a range of financial commitments, from fintech to university campuses, as well as the making of three Bollywood films in the United Kingdom.
• On Thursday, Starmer signed a defence deal worth £350m for British-made missiles, produced in the UK region, to be deployed by the Indian military.

"Our history together is deep, the human connections between our citizens are truly special," Starmer remarked as he departed Mumbai. "Expanding upon our landmark agreement, we are reinventing this alliance for our era."

Digital Identification Initiative Studied

Starmer has dedicated time in Mumbai analyzing the national digital identification program, including meeting principal architects who developed the comprehensive platform utilized by over a billion individuals for social services, payments, and verification.

The prime minister suggested that the UK was considering broadening the application of digital ID beyond making it mandatory to verify eligibility to work. He proposed that the UK would eventually look at linking it to financial and transaction networks – on a voluntary basis – as well as for administrative tasks such as home loan and school applications.

"It has been adopted on a optional basis [in India] in huge numbers, partly because it ensures that you can access your own money, conduct transactions so much more easily than is available with alternative methods," he noted.

"The speed with which it enables citizens here to access services, especially financial services, is something that was acknowledged in our talks yesterday, and in fact a Fintech discussion that we had today. So we're examining those examples of how digital identification assists individuals with processes that often take too long and are too cumbersome and simplifies them for them."

Public Support for Reforms

The Prime Minister acknowledged that the administration had to make the case for the initiatives to the UK citizens, which have plummeted in public approval since he proposed them.

"I think now we need to go out and advocate for the huge benefits ... And I believe that the greater number of individuals see the positive outcomes that come with this ... as has occurred in different nations, people say: 'That will make my life easier,' and consequently I want to get on with it," he stated.

Human Rights and Global Affairs Addressed

Starmer confirmed he had raised a range of challenging issues with the Indian leader regarding civil liberties and ties with Russia, though he appeared to have made minimal progress. He confirmed that he and Prime Minister Modi talked about how the country was continuing to purchase oil from Russia, which is subject to extensive international restrictions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the focus on resolving this conflict and the multiple measures will be implemented to that purpose," he commented. "And that was a broad spectrum of dialogue, but we did set out the actions that we are taking in regarding energy."

Starmer additionally mentioned he had brought up the case of the British Sikh activist the individual, from Scotland, who has been held in an Indian jail for nearly eight years without undergoing a complete legal process. It is often cited as one of the worst examples of injustice among UK nationals currently detained abroad.

However, Starmer did not indicate much advancement had been made. "Yes, we brought up the consular cases," he said. "We always raise them when we have the chance to do so. I must add that the top diplomat is scheduled to meet the families in coming weeks, as well as raising it now."

Upcoming Initiatives

Starmer is largely anticipated to take a similar trade-focused visit to China in the next 12 months as part of a effort to improve relations between the UK and China.

That relationship is under the spotlight because of the dismissal of a Chinese spying case, said to have happened because the UK has been unwilling to provide fresh evidence that China is considered a threat.

Starmer clarified the United Kingdom was keen to pursue other trading relationships but emphasized that a trade deal with China 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 can, challenge where we must, and this has been the ongoing approach of the government in regarding China."