UPI launched at Nice Massena in France, expanding global reach

India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was launched at Nice Massena in France on Tuesday, marking another step in the digital payments platform's international expansion.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced the launch in a post on X, describing it as a significant milestone for UPI's growing global presence.

Goyal said the payment system has been introduced at Galeries Lafayette Nice Massena, one of France's prominent retail destinations.

"Bringing India's world-class digital payments platform to one of France's premier retail destinations marks another significant step in UPI's global expansion," he said.

The initiative has been launched with the participation of Lyra Collect and NPCI International Payments Limited. Goyal said the project demonstrates India's ability to deliver trusted, seamless, and interoperable digital solutions at scale.

He added that the launch would strengthen economic and technological ties between India and France and deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The development follows discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on expanding UPI's presence in France.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had earlier said that UPI was already available at several locations in France, including the Eiffel Tower, and would soon be introduced at airports in Nice and Paris, including Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Earlier this month, UPI was launched in Cambodia, becoming the eighth country to accept the Indian digital payments platform.