Feb. 2 (GeokHub) — India is in discussions with Ant International, the Singapore-based operator of China-linked Alipay+, to enable the platform to connect with the country’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for cross-border transactions, two government sources told Reuters.
The integration would allow Indian tourists to pay merchants in participating countries using UPI, making cross-border transactions more seamless and cost-efficient. Alipay+ currently connects around 1.8 billion user accounts with more than 150 million merchants across over 100 markets worldwide.
Officials from the Indian government and central bank are holding talks with Ant International, which was founded by China’s Ant Group but now operates independently. The discussions are ongoing, and a final decision will consider security and geopolitical sensitivities due to Alipay’s Chinese origins, one source said.
India has previously imposed strict investment rules on Chinese investors following a 2020 border standoff, affecting deals such as BYD’s $1 billion electric vehicle venture. However, recent diplomatic efforts, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2025 visit to China, have begun to rekindle economic ties, easing some restrictions and resuming direct commercial flights last October.
India’s UPI system, which processes nearly 18 billion transactions a month, has become ubiquitous domestically. The government aims to extend its functionality internationally, allowing the Indian diaspora and travelers to pay in Indian rupees while minimizing cross-border transaction costs.
