On February 12th, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) declared the expansion of India's Unified Payment Interface (UPI) services to Sri Lanka and Mauritius. Prime Minister Narendra Modi characterized this development as a fusion of longstanding connections with contemporary digital technology.

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was introduced in Sri Lanka and Mauritius just one week after its launch in France, making them the latest nations to adopt the Indian digital payment system.

Furthermore, today saw the introduction of RuPay cards in Mauritius. This means that Indians visiting these two countries can now conduct online transactions, and likewise, Mauritians traveling to India can also utilize UPI services. The expansion of RuPay services also grants Mauritian banks the ability to issue RuPay cards, facilitating transactions in both India and Mauritius.

UPI services provide immediate real-time payment solutions through mobile phones, whereas RuPay, a card payment network of Indian origin, enjoys worldwide recognition and widespread acceptance at diverse points of sale, ATMs, and online platforms.

The announcement stated that the introduction would positively impact a diverse range of individuals by offering a quicker and smoother digital transaction experience, thereby enhancing digital connectivity between the nations. This move is particularly significant considering India's strong cultural ties and people-to-people connections with Sri Lanka and Mauritius.