India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has officially made its way to Qatar, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to globalize its digital payments network. The system was launched at Lulu Group hypermarkets in Doha, allowing Indian and Qatari consumers to make instant, QR-based payments using UPI for the first time.

The initiative was inaugurated by India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during his recent visit to Qatar. The move comes as part of a broader partnership between the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) International Payments Ltd, Qatar National Bank (QNB), and Japanese payment solutions provider NETSTARS. Together, these entities are enabling seamless digital transactions across Lulu stores in the Gulf nation.

Goyal highlighted that the UPI launch will help facilitate quicker, cheaper, and more transparent capital movement between India and Qatar. He noted that such financial cooperation will not only enhance trade efficiency but also strengthen economic ties and trust between the two nations.

For the large Indian diaspora in Qatar—estimated at over 800,000 people—this integration means easier day-to-day payments without depending on foreign cards or cash conversions. Local retailers are also expected to benefit through faster settlements, reduced transaction costs, and an expanded customer base.

With Lulu Group becoming the first major retailer in Qatar to accept UPI, the development represents a growing global acceptance of India’s homegrown payments network. Goyal urged more Qatari banks and institutions to adopt UPI, emphasizing its potential to reshape digital trade and financial inclusion.

India’s latest UPI expansion underscores its ambition to position itself as a global leader in secure, real-time payments and cross-border fintech innovation.