India’s UPI payment services rolled out in Sri Lanka and Mauritius

The Unified Payment Interface (UPI) service of India was launched in Sri Lanka and Mauritius on February 12. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it as linking historic ties with modern digital technology.

In Mauritius, India’s RuPay card services were also rolled out at a virtual ceremony attended by Prime Minister Modi, his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Prime Minister Modi said that he hopes the new fintech services would help the two nations. He also said the UPI is implementing "new responsibilities of uniting partners with India".    

"Today is a special day for the three friendly countries of the Indian Ocean Region as we are linking our historic ties with modern digital technology," he said. "I believe that Sri Lanka and Mauritius will benefit from the UPI system," Modi said.

The Prime Minister said digital public infrastructure has brought about a revolutionary change in India. He also highlighted India's focus on its "neighbourhood first policy".

"Be it a natural disaster, health-related, economic or supporting on the international stage, India has been the first responder, and will continue to be so," he said.

This step facilitates the availability of UPI settlement services for Indian nationals who travel to Sri Lanka and Mauritius as well as for Mauritian nationals travelling to India.