In a respite to travellers, India has extended its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services to Sri Lanka and Mauritius to facilitate smooth transactions abroad. The expansion of UPI services is expected to influence Indian tourists' destination preferences, prioritising locations where UPI is accepted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the significance of this development, characterising it as a pivotal moment that aligns historical ties with modern digital technology. He highlighted the transformative impact of digital public infrastructure in India, emphasising its role in revolutionising the nation.
Besides travellers, the prime minister noted that individuals of Indian origin residing in Sri Lanka and Mauritius and students studying in these countries will benefit from this initiative. The launch coincided with introducing RuPay cards in Mauritius, furthering India's financial footprint. The recent addition of UPI services in France on India's 75th Republic Day expanded the reach of this payment system to seven countries.
MyGovIndia, a citizen engagement platform of the Government of India, shared a world map illustrating the countries where UPI payments are accepted. Apart from Sri Lanka and Mauritius, the list includes France, UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, and Nepal. This strategic move aligns with New Delhi's efforts to bolster bilateral economic ties with these nations.
Unified Payments Interface (UPI), developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), is an instant real-time payment system facilitating inter-bank transactions via mobile phones. RuPay, a global card payment network from India, enjoys broad acceptance at various transaction points.
Modi emphasised that the launch of UPI services in Sri Lanka and Mauritius reflects New Delhi's commitment to people's development. Fintech connectivity will fortify cross-border transactions and connections, said the prime minister. He underscored the revolutionary impact of digital public infrastructure in India, citing instances of even the smallest vendors in remote villages conducting transactions through UPI and embracing digital payments. Overall, the initiative is poised to streamline financial interactions for travellers and foster economic ties with other countries.
(With inputs from PTI)