NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has signed a commercial agreement with Uzbekistan's national payment system HUMO on August 30, 2026. According to the Ministry of Finance, the pact enables Indian travellers to use UPI-enabled applications to scan Uzbekistan's national interoperable QR code UZQR for instant merchant payments across the country. The agreement was signed after approvals from financial regulators, including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Central Bank of Uzbekistan (CBU), which designated HUMO as NIPL's authorised partner for cross-border merchant acceptance. The announcement was made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Uzbekistan.
The integration with CBU's mandated Unified National QR infrastructure (UZQR) allows UPI users to have universal access to Uzbekistan's goods and services. As reported by the Ministry of Finance, the pact allows direct person-to-merchant (P2M) payments from Indian bank accounts, thus removing hindrances which arise from foreign exchange mark-up, the need to carry international cards or cash for Indian tourists, business travellers, and students. The ministry noted that by integrating with CBU's mandated Unified National QR infrastructure (UZQR), UPI users gain near-universal acceptance across retail, hospitality, and service merchants in Uzbekistan. The initiative advances digital public infrastructure cooperation and aligns with both nations' broader strategic and economic goals.
According to the Ministry of Finance, UPI is now operational in 11 countries including Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Greece, and Uzbekistan. The access allows Indian travellers to utilise the online payment interface for digital payments. The ministry emphasized that the partnership between NIPL and Uzbekistan's National payment system marks a significant step in expanding UPI's international footprint. This expansion demonstrates the growing international acceptance of India's Unified Payments Interface system, enabling seamless cross-border transactions for Indian travellers and businesses.
