Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to expand into more international markets.
Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai, Modi urged the industry to link UPI with the domestic payment systems of other countries.
He said the expansion should focus on countries with large Indian communities, significant trade links with India or an interest in working with the country.
India has already connected UPI with Singapore’s payment system, which Modi presented as a model for links with other countries.
He added that wider connectivity could lower the cost of sending money to India and help funds reach families more quickly.
UPI is now live in 11 countries and processed more than 24 billion transactions in August alone.
Modi described its current international reach as only the first step.
He also called for India to develop its own payment rules and standards and connect them with the rest of the world.
UPI marked its 10th anniversary on 25 August 2026.
Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Prime Minister’s Office of India
