French President Emmanuel Macron praised India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), calling it a groundbreaking digital innovation that has transformed financial access for millions of people. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, he said India has created a digital system at a scale unmatched anywhere in the world.
Macron highlighted how technology has reshaped daily life in India, especially for people who previously lacked access to formal banking services. He illustrated this transformation with an example of a street vendor who once struggled to open a bank account but can now accept instant digital payments using a mobile phone.
He described India’s digital ecosystem as a unique achievement, noting that the country has built an inclusive digital identity and payment infrastructure serving over 1.4 billion citizens.
How UPI Transformed Everyday Transactions
The Unified Payments Interface enables users to link multiple bank accounts to a single mobile application, allowing instant fund transfers, merchant payments, and peer-to-peer transactions.
UPI transactions are processed in real time and typically incur no cost for users, making digital payments accessible across urban and rural areas. From small vendors and taxi drivers to large retailers, the platform has become a cornerstone of India’s digital economy.
The system has played a significant role in promoting financial inclusion by enabling individuals without traditional banking access to participate in digital commerce.
Macron’s Earlier Experience with UPI
This is not the first time Macron has praised India’s digital payment infrastructure. During his 2024 visit to Jaipur, he observed Prime Minister Narendra Modi using UPI to make a payment at a local shop near Hawa Mahal. The instant confirmation and ease of transaction drew his attention, highlighting the system’s simplicity and efficiency.
UPI Expands to France and Europe
India’s digital payment ecosystem has expanded internationally, with France becoming the first European country to adopt UPI. The rollout was enabled through collaboration between NPCI International Payments Limited and French payment service provider Lyra.
This integration allows Indian tourists and students in France to make seamless payments using their existing UPI apps, strengthening financial connectivity between the two nations.
A Model for Inclusive Digital Infrastructure
Macron’s remarks underscore growing global recognition of India’s digital public infrastructure as a model for inclusive innovation. By combining digital identity, banking access, and real-time payments, India has created a system that promotes economic participation at an unprecedented scale.
The French President described the AI Summit as an important platform shaping the future of technology and emphasised the importance of collaboration between nations to advance digital innovation.
As UPI continues to expand globally, India’s digital payment framework is increasingly viewed as a blueprint for countries seeking to build inclusive, efficient, and scalable financial systems.
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