UAE Joins Singapore, France, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Cambodia Embrace Digital Payments Revolution UPI Goes Global

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June 9, 2026 10:06 GMT+5:30

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A remarkable expansion of UPI international payments, India digital payments, cross-border transactions, and India Stack global adoption is being witnessed as India’s Unified Payments Interface continues to strengthen its presence beyond national borders. What began as a domestic digital payment revolution has increasingly evolved into a global financial connectivity platform, allowing Indian travelers to make seamless payments across multiple international destinations using the same applications that are routinely used at home.

From purchasing coffee in Singapore and paying restaurant bills in Nepal to shopping in Cambodia through simple QR code scans, Indian travelers are now experiencing a new level of convenience while traveling abroad. The growing international acceptance of UPI is being viewed as a significant milestone in India’s broader efforts to export its digital public infrastructure model and establish itself as a leading force in global financial technology innovation.

The latest development has come with Cambodia becoming the newest country to accept UPI payments, further expanding the international footprint of one of the world’s most successful real-time payment systems.

UPI Now Accepted Across Nine Countries

The reach of UPI has steadily expanded over recent years, transforming the payment experience for Indian travelers visiting international destinations.

Currently, UPI payments are accepted in the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, Qatar, and Cambodia. Cambodia recently joined the growing network, becoming the ninth country where Indian travelers can complete transactions using UPI-enabled applications.

This expansion means that travelers no longer need to depend entirely on cash exchanges, international credit cards, or unfamiliar local payment systems in many destinations. Instead, familiar mobile applications can be used to complete purchases quickly and securely.

The increasing adoption of UPI across international markets is gradually changing the way Indian travelers manage their expenses abroad and is helping simplify cross-border financial transactions.

Cambodia Becomes the Latest Addition

The inclusion of Cambodia represents another important step in UPI’s international journey.

Through a partnership involving NPCI International Payments Limited and ACLEDA Bank, Indian travelers are now able to use UPI-enabled applications at millions of merchant locations throughout Cambodia by scanning KHQR codes, which serve as the country’s national QR payment standard. More than 4.5 million merchant locations are expected to benefit from this integration.

The initiative has been designed to improve convenience for travelers while supporting tourism and commercial activity between the two countries.

The first phase focuses on enabling Indian visitors to make payments throughout Cambodia. Future plans include the development of a two-way payment corridor that would allow Cambodian visitors to use their domestic payment applications while traveling in India.

Such developments highlight the increasing importance of digital financial interoperability in the modern travel ecosystem.

A Broader Vision Beyond Payments

The global growth of UPI forms part of a much larger initiative centered around India’s Digital Public Infrastructure framework.

The Government of India has informed Parliament that cooperation agreements have been signed with 23 countries to support the sharing, replication, and adoption of elements from India Stack. These agreements focus on digital identity, digital payments, data exchange systems, and service delivery platforms.

Countries participating in these Digital Public Infrastructure partnerships include Armenia, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Antigua and Barbuda, Papua New Guinea, Trinidad and Tobago, Tanzania, Kenya, Cuba, Colombia, Laos, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Ethiopia, Jamaica, Gambia, Fiji, Guyana, Venezuela, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Lesotho, Maldives, and Mongolia.

The agreements reflect growing international interest in India’s technology-driven governance and digital service delivery models.

India Stack Emerges as a Global Model

India Stack has increasingly attracted attention from governments seeking scalable and inclusive digital infrastructure solutions.

The framework includes several widely recognized platforms such as Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, CoWIN, API Setu, UMANG, e-Sanjeevani, GeM, and various other digital governance solutions.

These platforms have demonstrated how large-scale digital systems can be deployed to serve vast populations while improving efficiency, accessibility, and transparency.

As countries seek to modernize public services and financial systems, India’s experience has become an increasingly influential reference point.

The export of digital infrastructure expertise is now emerging as an important component of India’s international engagement strategy.

DigiLocker Partnerships Expand Internationally

Alongside UPI’s expansion, dedicated cooperation agreements have also been signed for DigiLocker.

The Government of India has entered into DigiLocker-specific arrangements with Cuba, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates, and Laos. These agreements are intended to support digital document management, authentication, and secure information sharing.

The growing international interest in DigiLocker demonstrates how India’s digital solutions are being viewed not only as domestic success stories but also as models capable of addressing administrative challenges in diverse global contexts.

Such initiatives further reinforce India’s position within the rapidly evolving digital governance landscape.

Transforming Travel for Indian Tourists

For Indian travelers, the expansion of UPI acceptance is creating tangible benefits.

International travel often involves challenges associated with currency exchange, transaction fees, and payment accessibility. Through UPI integration, many of these obstacles are being reduced.

Payments can be completed using familiar interfaces, reducing the learning curve associated with foreign financial systems. Transactions are processed digitally, helping travelers avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

This enhanced convenience is particularly valuable in tourism destinations where digital payment acceptance has become widespread.

As additional countries adopt UPI connectivity, travel experiences are expected to become even more streamlined for Indian citizens.

Strengthening Remittances and Financial Inclusion

Beyond tourism, broader economic benefits are also being generated through UPI’s international growth.

Cross-border payment systems have traditionally been associated with complexity, delays, and high transaction costs. The adoption of interoperable digital payment networks can contribute to more efficient financial flows and improved accessibility.

Officials have indicated that the expanding acceptance of UPI is helping strengthen remittance channels, promote financial inclusion, and enhance India’s role within the global fintech ecosystem.

These developments are increasingly positioning India as an influential participant in international discussions surrounding digital finance and payment innovation.

Parliament Informed of Growing Global Adoption

Details regarding the expansion of UPI and India’s Digital Public Infrastructure partnerships were shared by Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The information highlighted the government’s continuing efforts to showcase India’s digital achievements internationally while fostering cooperation with partner nations.

The growing list of participating countries reflects increasing recognition of the practical value offered by India’s digital platforms.

Through sustained engagement and technological collaboration, additional opportunities for expansion are expected to emerge in the coming years.

More Countries May Join the UPI Network

The current list of nine countries is unlikely to represent the final stage of UPI’s international journey.

As more governments evaluate digital payment modernization strategies and seek closer cooperation with India, further expansion opportunities are anticipated. Discussions surrounding Digital Public Infrastructure cooperation continue to gain momentum globally, creating favorable conditions for broader adoption.

The success of UPI in facilitating secure, real-time transactions has attracted considerable attention from policymakers, regulators, and financial institutions worldwide.

As partnerships deepen and technological interoperability improves, the network of countries supporting UPI payments is expected to continue growing.

The expansion of UPI beyond India’s borders represents more than a payment innovation. It reflects the emergence of India’s digital ecosystem as an influential global model capable of shaping how payments, identity systems, and public digital services operate in an increasingly connected world. Through continued international cooperation and technological integration, UPI is steadily evolving from a national success story into a significant global digital payments network.