Mar 08, Kathmandu- The NPCI has announced that Unified Payment Interface (UPI) is now live in neighbouring Nepal.

UPI users can scan QR codes to make payments to Nepalese merchants, an official statement said.

This follows a tie-up between the National Payments Corporation of India International Payments (NIPL) and Nepal's largest payment network Fonepay Payment Service in September last year.

In its first phase, the partnership will enable Indian consumers to make instant, secure, and convenient UPI payments across various business stores in Nepal by using UPI-enabled apps, the statement said.

Merchants acquired by the participating members of Fonepay Network can accept UPI payments from Indian customers, it specified.

It called the integration a "revolutionary shift" in cross-border transactions between citizens of both countries. Indian tourist arrivals in Nepal are already significant. This new connection will further enhance mutually beneficial cross-border tourism. Adds digital dimension to the deep-rooted people to people linkages.