July 22, 2025 —
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday praised the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for its growing global presence during his address in the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Highlighting India’s digital achievements, PM Modi called UPI a “symbol of India’s technological leadership” and emphasized its role in transforming digital payments not only domestically but also internationally.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister said, “India is setting an example in digital public infrastructure. UPI, which was once just a domestic innovation, is now being recognized and adopted across the world.” He pointed out that several countries are actively collaborating with India to implement or integrate UPI-like systems into their financial networks.
UPI, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and launched in 2016, has witnessed exponential growth, handling over 13 billion transactions monthly within India. The system enables instant money transfers between bank accounts through mobile devices, revolutionizing the way people handle everyday financial transactions.
During his speech, PM Modi mentioned that countries such as Singapore, UAE, Bhutan, Nepal, and France have already signed agreements with India to facilitate UPI-based cross-border transactions. “This is not just a technological export. It is a reflection of India’s ability to innovate at scale and share solutions that work for the global south,” he said.
The Prime Minister linked the success of UPI to the broader vision of “Digital India,” launched in 2015. “Through initiatives like UPI, Aadhaar, and Jan Dhan Yojana, India has built a robust, inclusive digital ecosystem. It has made financial services accessible even in the remotest parts of the country,” he added.
According to government data, UPI accounted for over ₹18 lakh crore worth of transactions in June 2025 alone. The platform is also seeing growing interest from global tech and financial companies. With strategic partnerships being forged with countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa, UPI is poised to become a model for digital payment systems worldwide.
Experts believe this international expansion of UPI could enhance remittance flows, reduce transaction costs, and strengthen India’s diplomatic and economic ties. The Reserve Bank of India and NPCI are working to extend interoperability between UPI and foreign digital payment systems, easing cross-border trade and travel.
In conclusion, PM Modi reiterated that India’s digital achievements are a testament to the country’s innovative spirit and commitment to inclusive growth. “UPI is no longer just an Indian platform; it is a global brand. The world is watching and learning from our digital journey,” he said.
