Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi who virtually joined the launch  of the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) services in Sri Lanka and  Mauritius, highlighted strengthening financial connectivity as its  key component of connectivity between the two countries.  

He, along President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime  Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth jointly inaugurated the launch  UPI services in Sri Lanka and Mauritius, and also RuPay card services in  Mauritius via video conferencing today.   

 President Wickremesinghe congratulated Prime  Minister Modi for the consecration of Shri Ram Mandir at the Ayodhya  Dham. He also emphasized the centuries-old economic relations. The  President hoped to maintain the momentum of connectivity and deepening  of the relationship between the two countries.   

 Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister  said that today marks a special day for three friendly nations of India,  Sri Lanka and Mauritius when their historic connections take the form  of modern digital connect. He said that it is proof of the government’s  commitment towards the development of the people. The Prime Minister  underlined FinTech connectivity will further strengthen cross-border  transactions and connections. “India’s UPI or United Payments Interface  comes in a new role today - Uniting Partners with India”, the Prime  Minister emphasized.   

 The Prime Minister underlined that digital  public infrastructure has brought about a revolutionary change in India,  where the smallest of vendors in the remotest of villages are  transacting via UPI and making digital payments. Speaking about the  convenience and speed of UPI transactions, the Prime Minister informed  that more than 100 billion transactions took place via UPI last year  worth INR 2 lakh crores or 8 trillion Sri Lankan rupees or 1 trillion  Mauritius rupees. The Prime Minister also mentioned making last-mile  delivery through the JAM Trinity of bank accounts, Aadhar and mobile  phones wherein 400 billion US dollars has been transferred into the bank  accounts of beneficiaries. He informed that with CoWin Platform India  conducted the world’s biggest vaccination programme. “Use of technology  is promoting transparency, reducing corruption and increasing  inclusivity in society”, the Prime Minister said.   

 The Prime Minister stressed that “India’s  policy is ‘Neighbourhood First’. Our maritime vision is SAGAR i.e.  Security and Growth for All in the Region. India does not see its  development separately from its neighbours.”  
 Referring to the Vision Document that was  adopted during the last visit of the Sri Lankan President, the Prime  Minister highlighted the strengthening of financial connectivity as its key  component. The Prime Minister expressed the confidence that connection  with UPI will benefit Sri Lanka and Mauritius and digital transformation  will get a boost, local economies will witness positive change and  tourism will be promoted. “I am confident that Indian tourists will give  priority to destinations with UPI. People of Indian origin living in  Sri Lanka and Mauritius and students studying there will also get  special benefits from it”, the Prime Minister added.