Indian UPI services launched in Sri Lanka and Mauritius

• India launches UPI services in Sri Lanka and Mauritius on Monday at a virtual event
• PM Modi, alongside Mauritian PM Pravind Jugnauth and Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe, attends the virtual ceremony
• Earlier this month, France allowed Indian tourists visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris to buy tickets via UPI mechanism

India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services made their debut in Sri Lanka and Mauritius during a virtual event held on Monday.

The virtual ceremony witnessed the presence of PM Modi alongside Mauritian PM Pravind Jugnauth and Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe. 

The introduction of UPI services in Sri Lanka and Mauritius aligns with New Delhi's broader strategy to bolster bilateral economic relations, marking a significant milestone in India's engagement with these nations.

Earlier this month, India's UPI mechanism made headlines in France as tourists visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris were enabled to purchase tickets through UPI payments, signaling the expansion of UPI services into European markets. France is the first European country to accept UPI payments. 

"This would increase the tourism between us (India, Sri Lanka and Mauritius). I am confident that Indian tourists would also prefer destinations where UPI services are available," PM Modi said.