The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has unveiled the expansion of its UPI One World wallet services to international visitors from over 40 countries attending the India AI Impact Summit 2026, held from February 16 to 20 in New Delhi. This initiative allows foreign travelers to make seamless, secure, and real-time Person-to-Merchant (P2M) UPI payments without requiring an Indian mobile number or bank account, thus enhancing their experience of India’s culture and cuisine.
The UPI One World wallet can be accessed through authorized PPI issuers at New Delhi International Airport and the NPCI Pavilion located in Bharat Mandapam. Travelers can load the wallet using various payment methods and transact by scanning UPI QR codes via the PPI-UPI application. This eliminates the need for cash or the complexities of foreign exchange. Any unused balance can be reverted to the original payment source in compliance with foreign exchange regulations.
Shohini Rajola, Executive Director of Growth at NPCI, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating that UPI is the world’s largest real-time payment system. By extending the UPI One World service to foreign guests at the India AI Impact Summit, NPCI is providing a convenient way to experience India’s real-time payments ecosystem and ‘Made in India’ technology.
This initiative also offers a glimpse into how smoother cross-border payment systems can support a more connected global digital economy. The NPCI’s move is a strategic step towards integrating India’s payment systems with global financial networks, potentially setting a precedent for future international collaborations.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, February 17th, 2026
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