(Image source from: x.com/UPI_NPCI)
India's digital payment transformation is increasingly being recognized around the world, with Qatar recently becoming the newest nation to implement the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This move enhances India’s efforts to improve international financial links. On Tuesday, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal was involved in the formal introduction of UPI in Doha. This initiative is anticipated to enhance digital collaboration between India and Qatar, making transactions quicker and easier for both countries. UPI, which is widely known in India, is being promoted as an essential aspect of India's digital relations, allowing safe and adaptable payments for millions of users worldwide. As part of its global outreach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has supported the worldwide spread of UPI. The system is currently operational in numerous countries, making payments simpler for Indian travelers and aiding local businesses.
United Arab Emirates: UPI was officially launched on July 3, 2024, and is accepted at more than 60,000 places, including shopping centers and eateries. This launch was driven by NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) in collaboration with Network International, creating easy and safe payment options for visitors from India.
Bhutan: As the first nation to adopt UPI standards for QR payments, Bhutan started this service on July 13, 2021, during an online event that included India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. UPI works alongside the previous RuPay setup, facilitating mobile payments at local shops and markets.
Nepal: UPI was introduced on March 8, 2024, in cooperation with Fonepay Payment Service Ltd. Travelers from India can make QR payments at local dining and retail establishments, while Nepali businesses can accept UPI easily, enhancing trade, tourism, and regional development.
France: The first European country to implement UPI, it was launched on February 2, 2024, at the Eiffel Tower. The service was later expanded to Galeries Lafayette, done in partnership with Lyra Group, allowing fast and secure payments for Indian travelers while enabling French businesses to access new markets.
Mauritius and Sri Lanka: On February 12, 2024, both nations unveiled a system called UPI and RuPay, allowing Indian travelers, students, and community members abroad to make quick payments. This move encourages broader access to digital finance and decreases the need for cash, in line with India's Neighbourhood First approach.
Singapore: On February 21, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Singapore's leader Lee Hsien Loong virtually introduced UPI. This connection allows Indian and Singaporean businesses to conduct transactions easily, enhancing financial cooperation in Southeast Asia.
India's worldwide effort to expand UPI aims to let individuals and companies make payments effortlessly across borders. It aids money transfers, boosts access to finance, and reinforces India's influence in developing the global digital market. The government sees UPI as a component of a model for public digital infrastructure that other countries could use or blend with their existing systems. The platform's achievements have established it as an example worldwide for cost-effective and scalable financial technology innovation. As per data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), UPI transactions in September 2025 reached 19.63 billion, a slight decline of 2 per cent from the 20.01 billion transactions in August. However, the total transaction value grew just a bit, increasing by 0.2 per cent to ₹24.9 trillion, compared to ₹24.85 trillion the previous month.
Looking at the yearly figures, UPI saw a volume increase of 31 per cent and a value rise of 21 per cent compared to September 2024, highlighting ongoing consumer confidence and the shift towards digital methods.
