During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Seychelles, India and the island nation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting UPI-based digital transactions, one of 19 agreements announced as both countries celebrated half a century of diplomatic relations.
“I am pleased that an MoU has been established between India and Seychelles for UPI,” Modi remarked during the visit.
The agreement seeks to enhance collaboration in the realms of digital payments and financial technology. While specific operational details remain forthcoming, this move indicates Seychelles’ eagerness to be part of India’s expanding digital public infrastructure ecosystem.
For Indian tourists, this development could eventually facilitate smoother cashless transactions while exploring the Indian Ocean destination known for stunning beaches, marine tourism, and luxury resorts.
India’s Unified Payments Interface, or UPI, has swiftly expanded its reach beyond domestic boundaries in recent years. Indian travelers can already utilize UPI for merchant payments in various countries, including Singapore, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, the UAE, Qatar, France, and Cambodia.
The Seychelles agreement is part of a broader initiative by India to promote its digital public infrastructure model, often referred to as India Stack. The government has established cooperation agreements with over 20 countries to share digital systems and technological frameworks associated with platforms like Aadhaar, DigiLocker, and UPI.
The announcement regarding UPI coincided with a wider array of bilateral agreements encompassing defense, maritime security, healthcare, education, agriculture, and space collaboration.
Additionally, India unveiled development assistance initiatives, which include a ₹1,250-crore line of credit, support for a new Seychelles National Hospital, and the provision of ambulances, rice, and cement.
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