New Delhi, June 10: In a major boost to digital financial connectivity between India and Nepal, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), on Tuesday announced the launch of a cross-border payment linkage between India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Nepal’s National Payments Interface (NPI).
The new integration will enable users in both countries to make real-time, low-cost, and secure person-to-person (P2P) money transfers without the need to share sensitive bank account details.
Under the system, customers can send and receive money using mobile numbers, Virtual Payment Addresses (VPAs), or UPI IDs, making cross-border transactions faster and more convenient than traditional remittance channels.
The facility has initially been rolled out through select banking partners and is expected to be expanded to a broader network of financial institutions in future phases.
According to NPCI International, the initiative marks a significant milestone in strengthening cross-border digital payment infrastructure and enhancing financial inclusion for citizens of both countries.
The linkage is also aligned with global efforts, including the G20 agenda, aimed at making international payments more accessible, efficient, affordable, and transparent.
Ritesh Shukla, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NPCI International, said the partnership with Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL) demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to developing innovative payment solutions that address the evolving needs of communities across borders.
“The launch of the cross-border remittance linkage between India and Nepal creates a real-time, affordable, and secure corridor for money transfers. It simplifies remittance services for families and contributes to greater financial inclusion,” he said.
The platform is expected to significantly reduce transaction costs and processing times compared to conventional remittance systems. It will particularly benefit migrant workers, families dependent on remittances, and individuals requiring quick access to funds.
Neelesh Man Singh Pradhan, Chief Executive Officer of NCHL, described the launch as a landmark achievement in digital financial cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
“The successful implementation of the Nepal-India payment linkage reflects strong collaboration and a shared vision of making cross-border fund transfers seamless, real-time, and convenient. We look forward to introducing additional services and expanding financial inclusion for millions of individuals and businesses on both sides of the border,” he said.
Industry experts believe the initiative could serve as a model for future interoperable payment system collaborations across other regions, showcasing how digital public infrastructure can facilitate efficient international transactions.
The partnership between NPCI International and NCHL further strengthens the growing economic and technological ties between India and Nepal, while reinforcing India’s leadership in digital payments innovation through the globally acclaimed UPI platform.
