NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced the expansion of India’s homegrown Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in France. PM Modi also unveiled a series of measures to strengthen bilateral ties, including greater mobility for students and professionals, enhanced educational cooperation, and easier travel for Indian nationals.Addressing the Indian diaspora in Paris, the PM said the expansion of India’s digital payments system would further deepen connectivity between the two countries.“Now, the scope of UPI usage in France is also going to expand further. This means instant India-France connect and instant mutual payments. Through all these initiatives, we are bringing India and France closer,” he said.The announcement comes days after PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the expansion of UPI services in France. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had earlier said that UPI was already available at several locations in the country, including the Eiffel Tower.UPI was launched in Paris on July 3, 2024.Highlighting recent developments aimed at benefiting the Indian community in France, PM Modi pointed to the opening of India’s consulate in Marseille and the introduction of visa-free transit facilities for Indian nationals at French airports.“Before I leave, I have some more good news for all of you. Last year, a consulate was opened in Marseille. This is providing significant convenience. A few weeks ago, visa-free transit for Indian nationals began at French airports,” he said.The prime minister also outlined ongoing efforts to strengthen educational and professional exchanges between the two countries.“Whether it’s increasing the mobility of students and professionals, mutual recognition of educational qualifications, or the opening of French university campuses in India, we are moving forward together on all of these,” the PM stated.PM Modi said these initiatives reflected the shared commitment of both countries to deepen cooperation across sectors and strengthen people-to-people ties.Earlier in his address, the prime minister praised the Indian diaspora for reflecting India’s cultural diversity and values abroad.Addressing members of the Indian community, he noted that people from across India, including tamils, punjabis, gujaratis, marathis and bengalis, were represented in Paris and contributing to the city’s multicultural character.“When historians look back 50 or 100 years from now and assess this period in India’s journey, one fact will stand out: this era was driven by the aspirations of the people of India. This is a new age of Indian aspirations,” he said.Highlighting India’s progress over the past decade, he added, “What was once a dream is now a reality. What once seemed impossible has now become possible.”Earlier PM Modi addressed technology leaders at VivaTech 2026, where he spoke about India’s growing digital infrastructure and technological transformation.“The last decade, India has been going through a rapid transformation that is powered by technology,” he said.Pointing to India’s digital public infrastructure, the Indian prime minister said, “You can now use UPI in France too at the Eiffel Tower or the Paris airport. We have several examples of such world-class digital public goods. Digilocker is one of the world’s largest digital document wallet.”
