India Launch UPI at Eiffel Tower in Paris Marks India's Global Digital Leap

Defense News ,India :- The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) took a monumental step onto the global stage with its formal launch at the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, as announced by the Indian Embassy in France on Friday. The move is hailed as a pivotal moment, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary goal of globalizing UPI, and the inauguration ceremony took place during the Republic Day reception held in France.

In a social media post on X, the Indian Embassy in France declared, "UPI formally launched at the iconic Eiffel Tower at the grand Republic Day Reception, implementing PM @narendramodi's announcement & the vision of taking UPI global."

UPI, India's innovative mobile-based payment system, enables users to conduct round-the-clock transactions through a virtual payment address. This address is created by the customer, streamlining multiple banking features, seamless fund routing, and merchant payments into a single mobile application, encompassing various participating banks.

The year 2023 witnessed a commitment between India and France to foster a thriving digital ecosystem and build collaborations empowering their citizens. According to the joint statement, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and France's Lyra Collect entered into an agreement to implement the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) in France and Europe.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously announced during his visit to France in July of the preceding year that India and France had agreed to adopt the UPI payment mechanism. The historic launch from the Eiffel Tower symbolizes the initiation of this collaboration, allowing Indian tourists in France to make payments in rupees through UPI.

Addressing the Indian community at La Seine Musicale in Paris on July 14, PM Modi remarked, "India's UPI and other digital platforms have brought about significant social transformation, and I am pleased that India and France are working together in this direction. The agreement to use UPI in France signifies a new era, starting from the Eiffel Tower, enabling Indian tourists to make payments in rupees through UPI."

French President Emmanuel Macron, who recently visited India as the Chief Guest during the Republic Day Parade, embraced UPI during his stay. During a visit to Jaipur, Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted over tea at a local stall, with Macron using UPI for payment. Earlier in their visit to Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, PM Modi had introduced the UPI digital payments system to Macron. This further underscores the growing collaboration between the two nations in the digital payment domain.