India-Cambodia UPI Link Enables Seamless QR Payments

Synopsis:  NPCI International has launched cross-border UPI payments in Cambodia, enabling Indian travellers to make seamless QR-code payments at millions of merchant outlets and strengthening digital payment connectivity between the two countries.

NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has launched Unified Payments Interface (UPI) acceptance in Cambodia through a partnership with ACLEDA Bank Plc. The initiative marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to expand its digital payment ecosystem globally and strengthen financial connectivity with Southeast Asia.

Under the first phase of the initiative, Indian travellers visiting Cambodia can now make payments using their existing UPI-enabled applications by scanning Cambodia’s national QR code system, KHQR. The service is available at more than 4.5 million merchant outlets across the country, including retail stores, restaurants, tourist attractions, and other commercial establishments. The launch is expected to make cross-border transactions faster, safer, and more convenient for Indian visitors.

The collaboration was formally launched in Phnom Penh in the presence of senior officials from the National Bank of Cambodia and representatives of the Reserve Bank of India. According to NIPL, the payment linkage is designed to improve transaction efficiency, reduce dependence on cash, and facilitate smoother financial interactions between businesses and consumers in both countries.

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Officials stated that the current rollout represents the first stage of a broader payment integration programme. In the next phase, the system will become fully interoperable, allowing Cambodian citizens travelling to India to use their domestic banking and payment applications to scan UPI QR codes and make payments across India. This will create a two-way digital payment corridor between the two countries and further enhance financial inclusion and cross-border commerce.

The initiative is expected to benefit tourism, trade, and business engagement by simplifying payment processes for travellers and merchants alike. Cambodian businesses will gain access to a large base of Indian consumers while benefiting from real-time digital transactions and improved cash management systems.

With Cambodia joining the network, UPI is now accepted in nine countries, reflecting India’s growing influence in global digital payments. The expansion comes as UPI continues to witness record growth domestically, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading real-time payment systems.