Trinidad and Tobago Adopts India’s BHIM UPI App, Becomes First in Caribbean

Trinidad and Tobago has become the first country in the Caribbean to accept digital payments using India’s BHIM app powered by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This move was announced during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the country from July 3 to 4.

PM Modi congratulated Trinidad and Tobago on adopting this advanced digital payment system. The two countries also discussed expanding their digital partnership in areas like DigiLocker, e-Sign, and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) under the India Stack framework.

What Is UPI and Why It Matters

UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is an Indian digital payment system that allows users to send and receive money instantly using their mobile phones. The BHIM app is one of the platforms that enables UPI-based payments. Its launch in Trinidad and Tobago will make transactions faster, safer, and more convenient for businesses, tourists, and residents.

With this step, Trinidad and Tobago joins a growing list of countries that have adopted UPI to boost financial inclusion and strengthen ties with India.

Countries Using UPI So Far

Here are the other seven countries using UPI:

• France: The first European nation to use UPI, starting with ticket purchases at the Eiffel Tower.
• UAE: UPI payments are accepted across popular malls and stores in partnership with Network International.
• Bhutan: The first country to adopt UPI QR standards in India’s neighbourhood.
• Nepal: Enabled cross-border UPI payments with help from Nepal’s Fonepay network.
• Mauritius: UPI and RuPay card services were launched together in 2024.
• Sri Lanka: Introduced UPI payments to strengthen bilateral ties and promote digital growth.
• Singapore: Expanded UPI payments across retail outlets through a partnership with HitPay.

Read more: Travelling to South Asia? Here's a List of Countries Accepting UPI Payments

Conclusion

The launch of UPI services in Trinidad and Tobago marks another milestone in India's digital diplomacy. As UPI spreads globally, it is becoming a powerful tool for building financial partnerships and simplifying payments for people across borders. This step opens new opportunities for trade, tourism, and tech collaboration between India and the Caribbean region.

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