Dubai, September 9, 2025 – In a groundbreaking move to transform cross-border payments, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, today unveiled the UPI–UPU Integration Project at the 28th Universal Postal Congress in Dubai. The initiative, a collaboration between the Department of Posts (DoP), NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), and the Universal Postal Union (UPU), combines India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the UPU’s Interconnection Platform (IP), aiming to expand digital remittances across 192 countries.
Why It Matters
This strategic integration harnesses the global reach of India’s postal network and the speed and affordability of UPI, offering a low-cost, fast, and secure alternative for sending money across borders. It has the potential to benefit millions—especially migrant workers, small businesses, and families depending on remittances.
A Social Compact, Not Just a Tech Launch
Describing the project as “more than a technology launch, but a social compact,” Minister Scindia emphasized that this initiative reflects India’s commitment to inclusive global infrastructure and public service.
Four-Pillar Vision for Global Postal Transformation
Scindia outlined a clear roadmap for modernizing the postal sector under four key pillars:
- Connect: Seamless, data-driven logistics to enhance service delivery.
- Include: Affordable digital financial services for migrants and digital entrepreneurs.
- Modernise: Adoption of technologies like AI, DigiPIN, and machine learning.
- Cooperate: Foster South–South collaboration via a UPU-supported technical cell.
Digital India: Scale and Impact
Under the Digital India initiative, the country has already achieved remarkable financial inclusion:
- Opened 560 million bank accounts, predominantly in women’s names via Aadhaar, Jan Dhan Yojana, and India Post Payments Bank.
- Delivered over 900 million letters and parcels in the past year, showcasing the reach of India Post.
$10 Million for Innovation
India pledged a financial commitment of USD 10 million during this cycle to fuel technology-led innovation in e-commerce and digital payments. The funding supports workshops, capacity building, and international collaboration.
Stepping into Global Postal Leadership
India also announced its candidature for both the Council of Administration and the Postal Operations Council of the UPU, signaling its readiness to play a bigger role in shaping global postal and financial systems.
What This Means for You
- Faster, cheaper remittances: If successful, users could expect significantly lower fees and quicker processing times for international money transfers.
- Financial empowerment: Easier access for underserved populations and diaspora communities to digital financial services.
- Global footprint: A potential model for other nations to emulate, reinforcing global trust in interoperable digital payment infrastructures.