A possible expansion of India’s digital payments ecosystem is taking shape as discussions continue around linking UPI with an international payments network. If implemented, the move could significantly simplify how Indians pay while travelling abroad.
The Indian government and the Reserve Bank of India are reported to be in talks with Ant International to connect the Unified Payments Interface with the Alipay+ network. According to a news agency report, the integration would allow Indian users to make payments to overseas merchants using familiar UPI apps such as Gpay.
At present, there is no official confirmation from the RBI, the finance ministry, or NPCI regarding these discussions. Ant International, the Singapore-based company that operates Alipay+, has also not issued a statement. As a result, details around the proposed integration remain limited.
If the integration goes ahead, it could remove the need for foreign currency cards or local SIM-linked digital wallets. Indian travellers would be able to pay directly through their preferred UPI apps when shopping or dining abroad.
The reported plan could enable UPI-based payments across regions such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Alipay+ already has a wide footprint, with more than 1.8 billion users and over 150 million merchants on its platform.
Currently, UPI operates internationally only in select markets through bilateral arrangements. These include Singapore, the UAE, France, and Sri Lanka. Despite this limited overseas reach, UPI continues to scale rapidly within India.
According to NPCI data, UPI processed 18.92 billion transactions in January 2026 alone. The system recorded an average daily transaction volume of 700.8 million during the month. In value terms, UPI transactions totalled Rs 24.39 lakh crore in January 2026.
If confirmed, the proposed UPI–Alipay+ link would mark a major step in extending India’s real-time payment system globally. It would also strengthen UPI’s position as a cross-border payment option, offering Indian users a seamless and familiar way to transact beyond national borders.
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