India Rejects US Claims Over Access to UPI Payment System

India has rebuffed allegations from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) concerning access to its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) ecosystem, asserting that its digital payment framework operates without preferential treatment for any foreign entities. USTR's Claims and India's Rejection The U.S. Trade Representative, in its 2026 report, asserted that U.S. electronic payment providers face inequitable access to UPI, specifically in credit transactions, when measured against India's domestic RuPay system. This claim suggests a disparity in market access that disadvantages American companies. NPCI Clarifies Policy on Credit Transactions In a directive issued on September 17, 2026, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) addressed the matter directly. The NPCI circular clarified that the UPI system does not grant any preferential advantages to foreign credit cards over the indigenous RuPay system. This statement underscores India's commitment to its national payment infrastructure.