India’s UPI Expands to Qatar for Domestic Payment Services

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has made its debut in Qatar, marking a new chapter in the international expansion of the country’s  system. Developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), UPI is now live at retail stores in Qatar, allowing domestic transactions using India’s real-time payment platform.

UPI Goes Live in Qatar

The launch in Qatar follows the system’s initial deployment at duty-free outlets in Doha airport in September. The first retail chain to implement UPI is LuLu Hypermarket, in collaboration with Qatar National Bank (QNB). The move is part of a growing trend where UPI is adopted internationally to facilitate cashless, instant payments.

QNB has integrated QR code-based UPI payments at point-of-sale (PoS) terminals for its merchant clients through NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL). This system is powered by NETSTARS’ StarPay platform, a Japanese payment gateway solution that supports various domestic and international QR code and cashless payment methods.

Global Expansion of UPI

Qatar becomes the eighth country to deploy UPI, joining nations such as Bhutan, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates. Earlier implementations were often limited to airports or select retail locations, but the Qatar launch extends access to major retail stores, signalling a broader adoption for everyday transactions.

The expansion reflects the integration of India’s digital payment ecosystem, allowing merchants and consumers abroad to benefit from UPI’s instant and low-cost transactions. 

Benefits for Consumers and Trade

The launch of UPI in Qatar is significant for both commerce and daily financial activities. With over 8,30,000 Indians living in Qatar, remittances are expected to become faster and less costly. Consumers can now make payments in real-time at participating stores using the same UPI app they use in India, improving convenience and efficiency.

The expansion also has the potential to strengthen trade relations between India and Qatar. By integrating payment systems, both nations can facilitate smoother transactions and lower costs for cross-border trade.

UPI’s Growth Story

Launched 9 years ago, UPI has become a core component of India’s digital economy. Currently, around 85% of digital payments in India are routed through UPI, which processes an average of 640 million transactions daily. On September 22, 2025, the platform recorded one billion transactions in a single day, highlighting its reach and reliability.

Read more:UPI Payments to Be Charged? RBI Governor Clears the Air

Conclusion

With its debut in Qatar, UPI continues to extend its footprint internationally, offering a fast, secure, and cost-effective payment solution for both consumers and businesses. This launch reinforces UPI’s role as a versatile digital payment platform capable of supporting global trade and retail growth.

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