UPI
No more cash in Uzbekistan? Indians can now pay using UPI across the country
NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has entered into a commercial agreement with the National Interbank Processing Centre JSC (NIPC), operator of Uzbekistan’s national payment system, HUMO.
The partnership will enable Indian travellers to scan Uzbekistan’s national interoperable QR code, UZQR, using their familiar UPI-enabled applications and make instant merchant payments across the country.
The agreement was announced during the Prime Minister of India’s bilateral visit to Uzbekistan.
The deal follows formal approvals from financial regulators, including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Central Bank of Uzbekistan (CBU). The CBU has designated HUMO as NIPL’s authorised partner for cross-border merchant acceptance.
Key Highlights of the Agreement
Universal Merchant Acceptance:
By integrating with the CBU-mandated Unified National QR infrastructure (UZQR), the partnership will provide UPI users with broad acceptance across retail, hospitality and service merchants in Uzbekistan.
Seamless Travel Experience:
Indian tourists, business travellers and students will be able to make direct person-to-merchant (P2M) payments from their Indian bank accounts. The initiative is expected to reduce dependence on international cards and cash while easing foreign-exchange-related payment friction.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties:
The initiative is aimed at deepening digital public infrastructure cooperation between India and Uzbekistan and aligns with the broader strategic and economic objectives of both countries.
UPI Accepted in 10 Countries
With the addition of Uzbekistan, UPI’s international acceptance continues to expand. UPI is currently accepted in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Greece, enabling Indian travellers to make digital payments abroad using their UPI-enabled applications.
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