🔗 Share this article

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

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

Starmer commented that the first phase of the deal would be a "welcome news globally" and noted that the United Kingdom had played its own role behind the scenes with the United States and negotiators.

Speaking on the final day of his trade visit to India, Starmer emphasized that the deal "needs to be put into action in full, without postponement, and accompanied by the prompt removal 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 prize, the Prime Minister suggested that more time was needed to determine 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 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 India Visit

The Prime Minister has hailed a number of deals sealed during his tour to the country – his first time there – joined by over a hundred executives and arts figures. The visit marks the passing of the two nations' trade pact.

• No 10 has announced a slew of investments, from fintech to higher education facilities, as well as the production of multiple Indian movies in the United Kingdom.
• On Thursday, Starmer signed a military agreement worth £350m for British-made missiles, manufactured in Northern Ireland, to be deployed by the Indian army.

"Our history together is profound, the personal ties between our people are exceptionally strong," he said as he departed Mumbai. "Expanding upon our historic trade deal, we are reinventing this partnership for our era."

Digital ID System Studied

Starmer has dedicated time in Mumbai analyzing the national digital identification program, including consulting key figures who developed the widespread system utilized by over a billion individuals for benefits, payments, and verification.

He suggested that the United Kingdom was considering expanding the scope of digital identification beyond making it mandatory to verify eligibility to work. He indicated that the Britain would in time look at linking it to banking 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 money, conduct transactions so much more conveniently than is possible with alternative methods," he explained.

"The efficiency with which it enables citizens here to access services, especially financial services, is something that was recognized in our discussions yesterday, and in fact a financial technology discussion that we had as well. So we're looking at those examples of how digital identification assists individuals with processes that often take excessive time and are too cumbersome and simplifies them for them."

Popular Backing for Changes

The Prime Minister admitted that the government had to build public support for the initiatives to the UK citizens, which have plummeted in public approval since Starmer announced them.

"In my view 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 other countries, people say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and consequently I want to get on with it," he affirmed.

Rights Issues and International Relations Discussed

Starmer confirmed he had raised a range of challenging issues with the Indian premier regarding human rights and relations with Russia, though he appeared to have made little headway. Starmer confirmed that he and Prime Minister Modi discussed 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 end," he commented. "This included a wide range of discussion, but we did set out the actions that we are taking in regarding energy."

Starmer also said he had brought up the case of the UK-based activist Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, who has been held in an Indian jail for nearly eight years without facing a full trial. It is frequently mentioned as one of the worst examples of unfair treatment among Britons currently detained overseas.

But, he did not indicate much progress had been made. "Yes, we brought up the consular cases," he stated. "We consistently address them when we have the opportunity to do so. I should say that the top diplomat is scheduled to meet the families in coming weeks, as well as discussing it today."

Future Plans

Starmer is widely expected to take a similar trade-focused visit 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 dismissal of a espionage investigation, said to have happened because the UK has been unwilling to provide fresh evidence that China is deemed a security risk.

The Prime Minister said the UK was keen to explore additional commercial partnerships but stated that a commercial agreement with China was not on the agenda. "It is not a priority, for a trade deal as such, but our position is to cooperate where we can, challenge where we must, and this has been the consistent policy of the administration in relation to China."