Indians Can Now Use UPI in Uzbekistan

Indian tourists, business travellers, and students can now use the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to make instant cross-border merchant payments in Uzbekistan. This development comes after the NPCI International (NIPL) entered into a commercial agreement with the National Interbank Processing Centre JSC (NIPC), operator of Uzbekistan’s national payment system, HUMO.

The partnership enables Indian travellers to scan Uzbekistan’s national interoperable QR code, UZQR, using their familiar UPI-enabled applications to make instant merchant payments across the country. This announcement was made during the bilateral visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Uzbekistan.

The execution of the agreement follows formal approvals from financial regulators, including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Central Bank of Uzbekistan (CBU). By integrating with CBU’s mandated Unified National QR infrastructure, UPI users gain near-universal acceptance across retail, hospitality, and service merchants in Uzbekistan.

Indian tourists, business travellers, and students can make direct person-to-merchant (P2M) payments from their Indian bank accounts, eliminating foreign exchange markup friction and reducing reliance on international cards or cash. This initiative advances digital public infrastructure cooperation and aligns with both nations' broader strategic and economic goals.

The Maldives recently announced the successful go-live of the integration between the Maldives Instant Payment System, ‘Favara’, and India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This new service enables individuals in the Maldives to transfer funds using Favara to beneficiaries in India in real time.

UPI is now accepted in 10 countries, including Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Greece. This expansion enables Indian travellers to make seamless payments abroad.

The growth of UPI payments abroad is a significant step in expanding India's digital payment footprint globally. With more countries adopting UPI, Indian travellers can enjoy a hassle-free payment experience while travelling abroad.

In conclusion, the introduction of UPI payments in Uzbekistan is a major development in the field of digital payments. It not only benefits Indian travellers but also strengthens the economic ties between India and Uzbekistan. As UPI continues to expand its global presence, it is likely to become a preferred mode of payment for Indians travelling abroad.

The success of UPI payments in Uzbekistan and other countries is a testament to the power of digital payments in bridging geographical gaps and facilitating economic cooperation. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the importance of seamless and efficient payment systems will only continue to grow.

With UPI now accepted in 10 countries, Indian travellers can look forward to a more convenient and hassle-free payment experience while travelling abroad. This development is a significant step forward in promoting digital payments and strengthening economic ties between nations.