UPI Expands Footprint in France

By Mahima Katal

New Delhi, June 15: India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has expanded its international presence and is now operational at several locations across France, including major international airports and the iconic Eiffel Tower, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced on Sunday.

The development marks another milestone in the global expansion of India's digital payments infrastructure and reflects growing cooperation between India and France in the technology and innovation sectors.

The announcement came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France, where he held bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron under the framework of the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders reviewed ongoing collaboration across a broad spectrum of sectors and signed 19 agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. The discussions covered key areas such as artificial intelligence, startups, trade, infrastructure, mobility, sustainability, healthcare and emerging technologies.

Highlighting the significance of UPI's expansion, Misri said its availability at prominent French locations demonstrates increasing international acceptance of India's digital payment ecosystem and enhances convenience for Indian travellers and businesses operating abroad.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the meeting between the two leaders as a step forward in deepening the strategic partnership between New Delhi and Paris. He noted that both countries placed particular emphasis on innovation, investment and strengthening people-to-people connections.

Beyond economic and technological cooperation, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron also exchanged views on major regional and global developments. The discussions reflected a shared commitment to addressing contemporary challenges and advancing cooperation on issues of mutual interest.

The growing presence of UPI overseas is seen as part of India's broader push to internationalise its digital public infrastructure. In recent years, UPI has been integrated into payment systems in several countries, enabling seamless cross-border transactions for Indian users.

As India and France continue to expand collaboration across strategic sectors, the latest agreements and technological partnerships underscore the evolving nature of bilateral relations, with digital innovation emerging as a key pillar of cooperation.