PEAKLIFE

By Kratika Agarwal

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is one of the reasons why India has garnered so much global attention recently. Whether it is about buying from a simple vegetable stall or a new gadget for your workspace, almost everything can be covered in one single scan. This ease of making payments with a single scan is widely recognised now. Like Singapore and Sri Lanka, many countries have adopted UPIs to help you carry out real time transactions with ease. This will not only make explorations easy but also lead to strong bonds between countries. Here is the list of countries that accept India’s digital payment systems. Take a look!

1. Mauritius

As of 2024, UPI services have been launched in Mauritius. Indians travelling to Mauritius can now choose to make UPI payments over other transaction methods. In the same way, a Mauritius traveller will be able to enjoy the ease of payments in India via the Instant Payment System. This project has been executed by NPCI, along with some partnering Banks/ and Non Banking Institutions under the support of the Reserve Bank of India.

2. Singapore

If you’re looking forward to vacationing in Singapore, you just need to register on the PayNow mobile application. This April, the Singapore Tourism Board and PhonePe entered a two year strategic partnership to help Indians instantly and seamlessly make payments to across 8,000 vendors.

3. Sri lanka

These seamless payment facilities have also been introduced in Sri-Lanka. Along with this, Rupay card services have also been extended. In order to make the payments possible, Indians need to activate UPI international on their respective UPI’s and scan the LankaPay code to initiate instant payments. This will eliminate the hassle of carrying cash or making runs to bank branches in the country.

4. Bhutan

Bhutan is one of the countries that made this list the earliest. In 2021, India’s popular payment application, Bhim UPI, was enabled in Bhutan to facilitate QR based payments. The straightforward, secure, and affordable mobile-based payment system has emerged as one of the leading methods of digital transactions.

5. Oman

UPI’s global expansion has now extended to Oman, one of India’s longstanding strategic partners in the Gulf region. With its rich cultural heritage, breathtaking natural landscapes, and exciting adventure opportunities, Oman is increasingly becoming a favourite destination for Indian travellers. This introduction of UPI in Oman presents significant opportunities for both countries to enhance their economic ties and facilitate seamless transactions for Indian visitors.

6. France

It’s not just great news for Indian tourists, but it’s also a game-changer for merchants all across France and Europe, especially in tourism and retail. Picture this you’re planning your visit to the Eiffel Tower, and you can easily book your tickets online using UPI. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it takes away all the hassle. According to an announcement by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), their international arm, NPCI International Payments (NIPL) has partnered with the French e-commerce and proximity payments platform Lyra to facilitate the acceptance of UPI payments in Europe, starting with Eiffel Tower.