Is UPI Now Live in Over 8 Countries?
Synopsis
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has expanded its operations to over eight countries, including key markets like the UAE and Singapore. This growth not only enhances India's global leadership in digital payments but also fosters financial inclusion and strengthens international cooperation in digital governance.
Key Takeaways
UPI is live in over 8 countries .
India is enhancing its global digital payments leadership.
Agreements with 23 nations support DPI adoption.
MoUs focus on digital identity and payments.
January saw a 28% growth in UPI transactions.
New Delhi, Feb 6 (NationPress) The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has expanded its reach to more than eight nations, including the UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, and Qatar, establishing India as a prominent figure in the global digital payments arena, as reported to Parliament on Friday.
The increasing international acceptance of UPI is enhancing remittance flows, fostering financial inclusion, and solidifying India's role in the worldwide fintech ecosystem.
Additionally, the government has formalized agreements with 23 countries to collaborate on the India Stack/Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), aimed primarily at replicating and adopting India's digital governance frameworks, according to Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Jitin Prasada, in the Rajya Sabha.
These agreements emphasize collaboration in areas such as digital identity, digital payments, data sharing, and service delivery platforms, aligning with India's broader DPI diplomacy under the India Stack initiative.
MoUs have been established with nations such as Cuba, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates, and the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR) for DigiLocker.
Furthermore, measures have been implemented to promote the success of India’s DPI on a global scale.
The India Stack Global initiative showcases India's DPI and facilitates its adoption by allied nations, providing access to 18 essential digital platforms.
The Global DPI Repository, introduced during India's G20 Presidency (2023), serves as an international knowledge hub, with India leading in the number of DPI solutions offered, as stated by the minister.
Key DPI and digital solutions include Aadhaar, UPI, CoWIN, API Setu, DigiLocker, Aarogya Setu, GeM, UMANG, DIKSHA, e-Sanjeevani, and PM GatiShakti, among others.
In January, UPI recorded a remarkable 28% growth in transaction count year-on-year, totaling 21.70 billion transactions, alongside a 21% annual growth in transaction value at Rs 28.33 lakh crore, as per recent data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
Point of View
The expansion of UPI to over eight countries illustrates India's commitment to digital innovation and global leadership in financial technology. The government's proactive approach to forming partnerships with multiple nations through the India Stack initiative signifies a strategic move towards enhancing international cooperation and digital governance.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What countries have adopted UPI?
UPI is now operational in over eight countries, including the UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, and Qatar.
What is the significance of the MoUs signed by India?
India has signed MoUs with 23 countries to promote cooperation in areas like digital identity, digital payments, and service delivery platforms, enhancing its global digital governance footprint.
How has UPI performed recently?
In January, UPI saw a 28% increase in transaction count, reaching 21.70 billion transactions, and a 21% growth in transaction value amounting to Rs 28.33 lakh crore.
