India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has made its way to Qatar, marking another milestone in India’s global digital outreach. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal launched the service at Lulu Hypermarket in Doha, enabling seamless, real-time and low-cost digital transactions between India and Qatar.
Expanding India’s digital reach
Speaking at the launch event, Goyal said the UPI rollout in Qatar was not just a technological milestone but a step towards transforming bilateral trade and travel. “This is not just a digital payment solution; it has the potential to revolutionise trade between Qatar and India. It’s a celebration of India’s technology,” he said.
He noted that integrating UPI into Qatar’s financial network would boost trust and convenience for consumers and businesses. “As we seamlessly integrate the payment systems of both countries, our people will be able to trade more, trade smarter and at lower cost,” the minister added.
Collaboration with QNB and NETSTARS
The launch was made possible through a partnership between NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) – the global arm of the National Payments Corporation of India — Qatar National Bank (QNB), and Japanese payment gateway NETSTARS.
With this collaboration, UPI will now operate on QNB’s point-of-sale (POS) terminals across Qatar’s major markets, including retail and hospitality sectors. The facility is expected to make payments easier for Indian travellers, tourists and businesses operating in the Gulf nation.
‘A game-changer’ for digital connectivity
Announcing the launch on X, Goyal called UPI’s entry into Qatar “a game-changer for digital connectivity and ease of payments”. He said the initiative underscores India’s commitment to advancing cross-border commerce under the ‘Digital India’ vision.
Goyal added that the system will allow faster and more transparent money movement between the two countries. “The movement of money and capital will be faster, almost in real time, with very low cost associated with it. It will become a symbol of trust across borders,” he said.
Strengthening trade and tourism
Officials said the introduction of UPI in Qatar will not only simplify payments but also facilitate smoother trade and tourism. The platform’s acceptance at QNB’s POS terminals will enable Indian visitors to make payments in rupees using QR codes, reducing their dependency on foreign exchange and card networks.
The initiative aligns with India’s wider strategy to internationalise UPI, following similar partnerships in the UAE, Singapore, Bhutan and Nepal. Qatar is now the eighth country to integrate the system into its financial infrastructure.
Since its launch in 2016, UPI has become one of the world’s most successful digital payment models. Goyal highlighted that around 85 per cent of India’s digital transactions now occur through UPI, which also accounts for nearly half of all global digital payments.
“The UPI story is a testament to India’s innovation and inclusivity. It has democratised access to finance and become an inspiration for digital economies worldwide,” Goyal remarked.
Doonited Affiliated: Syndicate News Hunt
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