Google partners with NPCI to take UPI Payments global

By Gloria Methri

Google India Digital Services and NPCI International Payments Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to help expand UPI payments to countries beyond India.

The move will enable Indian travellers to conveniently make transactions abroad via Google Pay, eliminating the need to carry cash or resort to international payment gateways.

The partnership also intends to develop UPI-like digital payment systems in other countries, to provide seamless financial transactions. Finally, it focuses on easing remittances between countries by utilizing the UPI infrastructure, thereby simplifying cross-border financial exchanges.

Deeksha Kaushal, Director, of Partnerships, Google Pay India said, “We are delighted to support NIPL towards expanding the reach of UPI to international markets. Google Pay has been a proud and willing collaborator to NPCI and the financial ecosystem, under the regulator’s guidance, and this collaboration is another step towards our commitment to making payments simple, safe, and convenient.”

Kaushal added that UPI has showcased to the world the significant transformation that occurs in economies when interoperable, population-scale digital infrastructure is introduced. He said each economy that joins such networks will generate an impact greater than the sum of its components.

The partnership will help accelerate UPI’s global acceptance, providing foreign merchants access to Indian customers who no longer have to rely only on foreign currency or credit/forex cards for making digital payments.

Ritesh Shukla, CEO – NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), said, “We are pleased to team up with Google Pay to propel UPI onto the global stage. This strategic partnership will not only simplify foreign transactions for Indian travellers but will also allow us to extend our knowledge and expertise in operating a successful digital payments ecosystem to other countries. We are also excited about enabling a seamless and more connected international remittance network by further expanding UPI’s cross-border interoperability feature.”