Piyush Goyal Unveils UPI Services in Doha to Boost India-Qatar Economic Partnership

In a significant step toward deepening India-Qatar economic and financial relations, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal officially launched India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Doha.

The event, held at Lulu Mall, marks a major milestone in the global expansion of India’s digital payment ecosystem and highlights the country’s growing influence in the fintech space. The initiative is expected to transform cross-border trade, enhance digital financial cooperation, and simplify transactions for businesses and citizens of both nations.

UPI Launch in Doha: A Landmark in Digital Collaboration

The launch of UPI in Qatar signifies a new era of financial innovation and collaboration between India and Qatar. The Unified Payments Interface—India’s flagship digital payment system—will now enable real-time, low-cost, and seamless transactions for Indian visitors, residents, and Qatari businesses.

Speaking at the launch, Piyush Goyal expressed pride in India’s digital innovation journey, emphasizing how UPI has become a global model of inclusive, fast, and secure payments. He remarked that UPI is not merely a technological platform but “a symbol of trust across models”, capable of revolutionizing trade and strengthening economic linkages between the two nations.

The introduction of UPI in Doha will particularly benefit Indian expatriates, one of the largest communities in Qatar, enabling them to make smooth payments and remittances directly through UPI-enabled apps.

Piyush Goyal Highlights India’s Fintech Leadership

Piyush Goyal underlined that UPI has been one of India’s most successful digital initiatives, transforming the nation into a global fintech powerhouse. Since its inception nine years ago, UPI has grown exponentially, now accounting for over 85% of India’s total digital payments.

He highlighted that UPI currently handles over 640 billion transactions annually, contributing nearly half of all global digital transactions. Goyal credited this success to India’s digital infrastructure, innovation-friendly ecosystem, and the country’s focus on making financial technology accessible to all.

The Minister described UPI as “a celebration of India’s technology and innovation”, noting that its expansion to Qatar symbolizes India’s digital diplomacy and its role in shaping global payment systems.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties: India-Qatar Ministerial Meeting

Before the UPI launch, Piyush Goyal co-chaired the India-Qatar Ministerial Joint Commission on Economic and Commercial Cooperation with Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed existing trade and investment partnerships and reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation across sectors such as energy, technology, infrastructure, and manufacturing. They also discussed the progress made on key investment goals set during the Amir of Qatar’s visit to India in February 2025.

The meeting emphasized the need for diversified trade relations and encouraged greater participation of private sectors in emerging industries. Goyal highlighted that the introduction of UPI in Qatar aligns perfectly with both countries’ vision of accelerating digital transformation and trade efficiency.

India-Qatar Joint Business Council: Building Economic Synergy

Later in the day, Piyush Goyal addressed the inaugural session of the India-Qatar Joint Business Council, alongside Sheikh Faisal. The council serves as a platform for business collaboration, investment promotion, and industrial cooperation between the two nations.

Goyal urged Indian and Qatari businesses to capitalize on their strong strategic and cultural ties, emphasizing that both economies complement each other across multiple sectors such as energy, fintech, logistics, and food processing.

He encouraged entrepreneurs to explore new trade and investment opportunities, stating that India’s digital revolution, coupled with Qatar’s economic diversification efforts, provides a foundation for shared growth and prosperity.

UPI: A Global Model of Digital Payments

The expansion of UPI beyond India underscores its growing international acceptance. By launching UPI in Doha, India has once again demonstrated its leadership in fintech innovation and digital financial inclusion.

The platform’s instant money transfer capability eliminates the need for intermediaries, reducing costs and processing time. For Indian travelers, expatriates, and Qatari merchants, this integration is set to make digital payments faster, safer, and more convenient.

Conclusion

The launch of UPI in Doha is more than just a technological collaboration—it is a symbol of trust and shared progress between India and Qatar. It showcases India’s commitment to expanding its digital footprint globally while reinforcing bilateral economic and cultural partnerships. As UPI continues to gain international recognition, it serves as a testament to India’s vision of creating a cashless, borderless, and inclusive financial future.