French President Emmanuel Macron has lauded Bharat’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) technology during his visit, expressing amazement at its innovation. Macron highlighted his experience of sharing tea with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where UPI was used for payment. The French leader praised the efficiency and convenience, noting it as a testament to Bharat’s technological advancements.
During a visit to Jaipur, Macron and Modi enjoyed traditional kulhad tea, with Modi making the payment using UPI on his phone. Macron was visibly surprised as Modi demonstrated the payment process, including the shop owner receiving a confirmation on his phone. Macron mentioned this experience at the official banquet hosted in his honor, emphasizing the significance of UPI in daily transactions.
Bharat and France have forged a strong relationship, as Macron acknowledged being honored to participate in Bharat’s Republic Day function. He expressed warmth in the bilateral ties, highlighting previous meetings and exchanges between the two nations. Macron’s positive experience with UPI further solidifies the interest France has shown in adopting the payment mechanism.
France, along with several other nations, has displayed keen interest in incorporating UPI from Bharat. In July, Modi announced the agreement to use UPI payment in iconic locations like the Eiffel Tower. The National Payments Corporation of India (NCPI) signed an MoU with France’s Lyra Network, enabling the acceptance of UPI and RuPay in international transactions.
The appeal of UPI extends beyond France, with countries like Japan expressing interest after a visit by Digital Minister Kona Taro to Bharat. Japan considered UPI adoption after witnessing its usage in everyday scenarios, prompting discussions at a high-level meeting upon the minister’s return.
A government official revealed that approximately “35-40 countries” are actively considering adopting UPI, with engagements between India and these nations on the matter. Besides France and Japan, countries such as Bhutan, Malaysia, UAE, Nepal, the UK, Russia, Oman, Qatar, Australia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, South Korea, and Bahrain have expressed interest in the UPI payments system.
Bharat’s UPI technology continues to capture the attention of global leaders, signaling its growing reputation as an innovative and efficient payment solution on the international stage.
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