UPI is set to work across Uzbekistan's UZQR merchant network
NIPL and Uzbekistan's NIPC have agreed to connect supported Indian UPI apps with the country's national QR-payment network.
NPCI International Payments Limited and Uzbekistan's National Interbank Processing Centre have signed a commercial agreement to enable merchant payments through supported Indian UPI apps and Uzbekistan's UZQR standard.
The arrangement is intended to let Indian visitors scan local UZQR codes rather than depend on a separate acceptance system.
Why it matters
Cross-border QR interoperability can reduce payment friction for travellers and broaden merchant choice. It also demonstrates a model in which UPI connects with domestic payment infrastructure in another market.
SCULTRA interpretation
The agreement's strategic value lies in interoperability. Its commercial value will depend on how widely and reliably the service works at the point of sale.
Uncertainty and limitation
The official release describes the agreement and approvals, not a measured nationwide usage result. Merchant activation, app compatibility, foreign-exchange pricing, fees and dispute handling remain practical variables.
Source: Press Information Bureau / NIPL, 31 August 2026.