France's Macron praises UPI, says India built something no other country has
India Today
French President Emmanuel Macron praised India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI), saying the country has accomplished what no other nation has — creating a digital identity system that serves all 1.4 billion citizens.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday praised Unified Payments Interface (UPI), India's digital payments system, saying the country has built something no other nation has managed to achieve — a digital identity for 1.4 billion people.
Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in Delhi, Macron highlighted how technology has transformed everyday life for ordinary Indians. Beginning his address with a personal anecdote, he said, “Ten years ago, a street vendor in Mumbai could not open a bank account—no address, no papers, no access. Today, the same vendor accepts payments on his phone instantly and for free from anyone in the country.”
“India built something no other country has built — a digital identity for 1.4 billion people,” the French President said, drawing applause from the audience.
Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inviting him to India, Macron said it was “great to be back here” for the AI Summit, which he described as a platform shaping the global future of artificial intelligence.
This is not the first time that Macron has praised UPI.
During his 2024 state visit to India, Macron was impressed with UPI during a visit to a local shop with PM Modi in Jaipur. Macron and PM Modi shared tea in traditional kulhads (earthen cups) outside a shop near Hawa Mahal, following which PM Modi paid the bill using UPI.
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