Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced that India and France have agreed to use the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) payment mechanism and it will start from the iconic Eiffel Tower. Pm Modi said that Indian tourists in France will now be able to pay in rupees. “Whether it is India’s UPI or other digital platforms, they have brought about a big social change in the country and I am happy that India and France are also working together in the direction.
India and France have agreed to use UPI in France. I’ll go after the agreement. However, it’s your job to move on. Friends, in the coming days, it will be started from the Eiffel Tower, which means that Indian tourists will now be able to pay in rupees through UPI at the Eiffel Tower. Modi said this while addressing the Indian community at La Seine Musical in Paris.
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is India’s mobile-based payment system and allows people to make payments round the clock through a virtual payment address created by the customer. Earlier this year, UPI and Singapore’s ‘PayNow’ signed an agreement that will facilitate cross-border transactions to users in both countries.
The announcement is being seen as a significant development for bilateral trade and tourism between India and France. In his remarks, PM Modi said that India and France have been working on archaeological missions for a long time. He emphasised that digital infrastructure strengthens ties between the two countries. “Very few people know that India and France have been working on archaeological missions for a long time. It extends from Chandigarh to Ladakh. Digital infrastructure is another area that strengthens ties between India and France. ”
PM Modi also talked about a study by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which revealed that India’s efforts benefit not only the country but the entire humanity. “An IMF study says that extreme poverty in India is now on the verge of being eradicated. When India does such a big work, it benefits not only the country but the entire humanity. ”
Pm Modi also recalled that 100 years ago, Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives protecting the pride of France. “A hundred years ago, Indian soldiers laid down their lives on French soil while protecting France’s pride, in the line of duty. Then one of the regiments that took part in the war here, the Punjab Regiment, is going to take part in the national army. “Tomorrow’s day parade,” he said.
Pm Modi is attending the National Day parade of France along with French President Emmanuel Macron, describing it as a reflection of the “unbreakable friendship between India and France”. “I congratulate the people of France. I thank the people of France for inviting me. Today the French PM welcomed me at the airport and tomorrow I will join the National Day parade with my friend Emmanuel Macron. This is a reflection of the unbreakable friendship between the two. “India and France,” Modi said.
Pm Modi also emphasised on people-to-people contact between France and India, saying it is the “strongest foundation” of partnership between the two countries. “Our people-to-people ties, people-to-people trust is the strongest foundation of the India-France partnership,” he said. “India and France are dealing with many challenges of the 21st century. Therefore, at this critical time, the importance of the strategic partnership between our countries has increased even more,” he said.
The Prime Minister, who arrived in Paris on Thursday on a two-day official visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the airport. He was received at the airport by French Prime Minister Elizabeth Bourne.
