kathmandu- India and Nepal are further strengthening digital payment connectivity, with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India, reiterating its commitment to expanding seamless cross-border digital payment services between the two countries.
According to NIPL, a two-way real-time person-to-person (P2P) payment system is now operational, allowing users to transfer money between India and Nepal using the recipient’s mobile number or Virtual Payment Address (VPA). The system eliminates the need to exchange sensitive bank account details, making cross-border transactions safer and more convenient.
Indian visitors to Nepal can also make instant payments at businesses by scanning QR codes through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Businesses connected to the Fonepay network can accept UPI payments from Indian users.
UPI payments are available at popular tourist and religious destinations, including Chandragiri Hills, Manakamana Temple and Pashupatinath Temple. The facility is expected to reduce the need for Indian tourists to carry cash or exchange currency during their visit.
NIPL said more than 290,000 Indian tourists visited Nepal in 2025, adding that the growing use of UPI in Nepal is helping expand digital payment access across tourism, retail, hospitality and everyday transactions.
The UPI–NPI linkage with Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL) has enabled real-time P2P fund transfers between the two countries. NIPL said it plans to further expand UPI-based payment solutions and extend P2P remittance services to more banks.
Ritesh Shukla, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NPCI International, said the goal is to make cross-border payments more convenient, secure and affordable while further strengthening the digital and economic ties between India and Nepal.
