Keir Starmer Praises Trump's Gaza Truce Deal – But Stops Short of Peace Prize Backing

The Prime Minister has stated that the truce deal in Gaza "would not have occurred without the leadership of Donald Trump," yet stopped short of endorsing the American leader for a Nobel Prize.

Truce Agreement Welcomed as a "Relief to the World"

Starmer commented that the initial stage of the agreement would be a "welcome news globally" and highlighted that the United Kingdom had played its own role in private discussions with the US and negotiators.

Speaking on the final day of his trade visit to India, Starmer stressed that the agreement "needs to be put into action in full, without delay, and paired with the prompt removal of all limitations on critical humanitarian aid to Gaza."

Peace Prize Inquiry Addressed

But, when asked if the Nobel committee should at this time grant Donald Trump the coveted prize, the Prime Minister implied that more time was required to determine if a longer lasting peace could be attained.

"What matters now is to press on and execute this ... my attention now is transitioning this from the phase it's at now ... and ensure the success of this, because that matters to me more than anything else," he told reporters at a media briefing in Mumbai.

Trade and Investment Revealed During Trip to India

Starmer has hailed a series of agreements sealed during his tour to the country – his first time there – joined by over a hundred executives and cultural leaders. The visit marks the implementation of the two nations' trade pact.

• The UK government has announced a range of financial commitments, from financial technology to university campuses, as well as the making of three Bollywood films in the UK.
• On the final day, the Prime Minister signed a military agreement worth £350m for British-made missiles, produced in Northern Ireland, to be used by the Indian army.

"Our history together is profound, the human connections between our citizens are truly special," he said as he departed the city. "Building on our historic trade deal, we are remaking this partnership for our era."

Digital ID Initiative Studied

The Prime Minister has dedicated time in India studying the national digital identification program, including meeting principal architects who designed the widespread system utilized by over a billion individuals for social services, transactions, and verification.

The prime minister suggested that the UK was interested in expanding the application of digital identification beyond making it mandatory to verify eligibility to work. He proposed that the Britain would eventually look at connecting it to financial and payments systems – on a voluntary 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, partly because it ensures that you can retrieve your own funds, conduct transactions so much more easily than is possible with others," he noted.

"The efficiency with which it allows citizens here to access services, especially financial services, is something that was recognized in our talks yesterday, and in fact a financial technology discussion that we had as well. So we're examining those instances of how digital identification helps people with procedures that often take too long and are too cumbersome and makes them easier for them."

Popular Backing for Reforms

Starmer admitted that the administration had to make the case for the initiatives to the British public, which have declined sharply in public approval since he proposed them.

"In my view now we need to go out and make that case the huge benefits ... And I believe that the more people see the benefits that come with this ... as has occurred in other countries, citizens say: 'That will simplify my daily routine,' and consequently I want to proceed with it," he affirmed.

Rights Issues and International Relations Addressed

Starmer confirmed he had raised a number of difficult topics with the Indian leader regarding civil liberties and ties with the Russian Federation, though he seemed to have made little headway. He acknowledged that he and Prime Minister Modi talked about how the country was persisting to purchase Russian oil, which is subject to extensive international restrictions.

"For prime minister Modi and myself the focus on ending this conflict and the various steps will be implemented to that end," he commented. "And that was a wide range of discussion, but we outlined the steps that we are taking in relation to energy."

The Prime Minister also mentioned he had raised the case of the British Sikh activist Jagtar Singh Johal, from Scotland, 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 most egregious cases of unfair treatment among Britons currently detained overseas.

But, Starmer did not indicate much advancement had been made. "Yes, we did raise the consular cases," he said. "We consistently address them when we have the chance to do so. I should say that the foreign secretary is meeting the families in the near future, as well as discussing it today."

Future Plans

The prime minister is widely expected to take a similar business-oriented trip to China in the next 12 months as part of a mission to improve relations between the United Kingdom and China.

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

The Prime Minister clarified the UK was keen to pursue additional commercial partnerships but stated that a commercial agreement with the nation was not on the agenda. "It is not a priority, for a trade deal as such, but our stance is to work together where we can, challenge where we must, and that's been the ongoing approach of the administration in relation to China."