Indian travellers visiting Uzbekistan can now make merchant payments by simply scanning a QR code using their UPI-enabled apps, expanding the growing international reach of India's digital payments system.

NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India, has entered into a commercial agreement with Uzbekistan's National Interbank Processing Centre JSC (NIPC), allowing Indian tourists, business travellers and students to make instant cross-border payments at merchants across the country.

Under the arrangement, Indian users can scan Uzbekistan's national interoperable QR code, UZQR, through their familiar UPI applications to make payments directly from their Indian bank accounts.

The agreement between NIPL and NIPC, which operates Uzbekistan's national payment system HUMO, was signed on August 30, according to a Finance Ministry statement issued on Monday.

How will UPI payments work in Uzbekistan?

The partnership integrates UPI with Uzbekistan's Unified National QR infrastructure, allowing Indian visitors to make person-to-merchant payments across retail outlets, hospitality establishments and service providers.

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This means travellers will be able to scan the UZQR code and complete payments using UPI-enabled applications, reducing their dependence on cash and international payment cards.

The arrangement follows approvals from financial regulators, including the Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, which designated HUMO as NIPL's authorised partner for cross-border merchant acceptance.

The announcement came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bilateral visit to Uzbekistan.

Countries where Indians can use UPI

With Uzbekistan joining the network, UPI's international footprint continues to expand. According to the Finance Ministry, Indian travellers can use UPI-enabled payment services in the following countries:

  • Singapore
  • United Arab Emirates
  • France
  • Mauritius
  • Nepal
  • Bhutan
  • Qatar
  • Sri Lanka
  • Cambodia
  • Greece
  • Uzbekistan

The expanding network allows Indian travellers to use familiar digital payment methods while travelling abroad instead of relying entirely on cash or international cards.

Maldives recently joined UPI-linked payment network

The development comes a month after the Maldives announced the successful integration of its Instant Payment System, Favara, with India's Unified Payments Interface.

The service allows individuals in the Maldives to transfer funds in real time to beneficiaries in India. Transactions are initiated in Maldivian Rufiyaa and credited to recipients in Indian Rupees through UPI.

With IANS inputs