India’s homegrown digital payments revolution has now gone global, as Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal launched the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system in Qatar on October 7, marking a major milestone in India’s digital diplomacy.
The launch at LuLu Hypermarket in Doha brings a slice of everyday India to the Gulf nation. For the more than 830,000 Indians living in Qatar, it means the comfort of paying through familiar apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm, now accepted at local stores and outlets. The system allows direct transactions in Indian rupees, enabling a seamless payment experience for expatriates and tourists alike.
“UPI is not just about convenience, it represents India’s inclusive vision of a cashless, transparent economy,” said Minister Piyush Goyal, hailing the rollout as a proud export of India’s digital prowess.
This landmark initiative is powered by a partnership between NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL), Qatar National Bank (QNB), and Japanese payment aggregator NETSTARS. Customers can now make instant payments by simply scanning QR codes at participating stores, with transactions processed in real time.
Earlier, UPI had made a limited debut at Qatar Duty Free stores inside Hamad International Airport, catering primarily to Indian travellers. The new retail integration expands that reach, simplifying daily purchases and promoting digital adoption across Qatar’s retail network.
The expansion reflects India’s growing efforts to internationalise its digital public infrastructure—a move that has already seen UPI accepted in countries such as Singapore, the UAE, France, Nepal, Bhutan, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka. In most of these countries, UPI supports QR code payments, card usage, or real-time remittances. The system is also expanding across parts of Southeast and East Asia, such as Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea, marking India’s increasing influence in global digital finance.
Further adoption in Qatar’s hospitality, transport, and tourism sectors is expected soon, widening the reach of India’s most successful digital export yet.
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