French President Emmanuel Macron, who graced India as the esteemed chief guest for Republic Day festivities, found himself deeply impressed by the intricacies of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system, particularly during a charming encounter over tea with Prime Minister Narendra Modi near Jaipur's iconic Hawa Mahal.
During his two-day state visit to India, Macron had the honor of being this year's Republic Day chief guest, marking a significant moment in the bilateral relations between the two nations.
Expressing his delight during an official banquet hosted in his honor by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Macron reminisced about the memorable cup of chai he shared with PM Modi, fondly recalling the Hindi term for tea.
In his address, Macron emphasized the significance of their tea rendezvous, highlighting the utilization of UPI for the payment transaction, which he described as emblematic of the unique blend of tradition and innovation characterizing the Indo-French friendship.
A video shared by the BJP captured the congenial interaction between PM Modi and Macron as they savored tea served in traditional kulchas outside a quaint shop near Hawa Mahal. Following the refreshment, PM Modi demonstrated the seamless functionality of UPI by swiftly making the payment, prompting an instant confirmation that left the French President pleasantly surprised.
During their tea outing, PM Modi took the opportunity to elucidate the workings of the UPI system to Macron, providing insights into its capabilities and widespread usage across various sectors.
The UPI platform seamlessly amalgamates multiple bank accounts into a user-friendly mobile application, enabling individuals to access an array of banking services, including effortless fund transfers and merchant payments. Moreover, it facilitates peer-to-peer collection requests, offering convenience and flexibility to users.
PM Modi's visit to France in July of the previous year saw discussions about extending the utility of UPI beyond Indian borders. In a significant development, it was agreed upon that UPI would be introduced in France, with plans to initiate the service starting from the iconic Eiffel Tower. This initiative holds promise, as it will enable Indian tourists to conduct transactions in their native currency, further enhancing the ease of travel and fostering stronger ties between India and France.
