During his visit to France, Prime Minister Modi announced that students pursuing a master's degree in France will now be eligible for long-term five-year visas.
In a significant development, India and France have reached an agreement to implement the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in France. This announcement was made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Paris.
Addressing the Indian community at the La Seine Musicale, a performing arts center located on an island in the River Seine, Prime Minister Modi, standing atop the Eiffel Tower, shared the news that Indian tourists will soon have the option to make payments in Rupees using UPI.
"France has reached an agreement to adopt India's UPI system," stated Prime Minister Modi, adding that the initiative would commence at the iconic Eiffel Tower. This development enables Indian tourists to make Rupee payments through UPI while visiting the Eiffel Tower.
In 2022, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the organization behind UPI services, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lyra, France's secure online payment system.
Prior to France, India had also entered into an agreement with Singapore's PayNow in 2023, allowing users in both countries to engage in cross-border transactions. Furthermore, the UPI system has already been adopted by UAE, Bhutan, and Nepal.
The NPCI has set its sights on expanding UPI services to numerous countries in Europe, West Asia, and the United States.
Prime Minister Modi further confirmed that France has made the decision to provide long-term five-year visas for students pursuing a master's degree in the country. Speaking to the Indian community, the Prime Minister urged them to make substantial investments in India. He emphasized that this is a highly favorable moment to invest in the country, and those who invest early will enjoy significant advantages.
Reflecting on his early days as a member of the Alliance Française Centre in Ahmedabad in 1981, PM Modi expressed, "My connection with France goes way back, and it holds a special place in my heart. Around four decades ago, a cultural center of France was established in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and today, the very first member of that center is speaking to you."
The Prime Minister also praised India as the cradle of democracy and diversity, highlighting, "This is our greatest asset. In India, we have over 100 languages and 1,000 dialects. Every day, more than 32,000 newspapers are published in these languages."
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