Dubai: India took center stage at the 28th Universal Postal Congress in Dubai as Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, unveiled the UPI–UPU Integration project, a landmark initiative designed to revolutionize cross-border remittances for millions around the world.

The project, jointly developed by the Department of Posts (DoP), NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU), integrates India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the UPU’s Interconnection Platform (IP). This convergence aims to harness the reliability and reach of postal networks with the speed and affordability of UPI, creating a seamless and cost-effective global payments channel.

Calling the launch “more than a technology initiative, but a social compact,” Scindia highlighted how the partnership would empower migrant workers and families across borders. “The reliability of the postal network combined with the speed of UPI means families can send money faster, safer, and at much lower cost. It reaffirms that public infrastructure built for citizens can be linked across borders to serve humanity better,” he said.

Outlining India’s vision for the postal sector, Scindia framed it around four key priorities:

Connect through seamless, data-driven logistics.

Include by ensuring affordable digital financial services for migrants and enterprises.

Modernise with AI, DigiPIN and machine learning.

Cooperate via South–South partnerships with a UPU-backed technical cell.

He emphasized India’s success in driving financial inclusion at scale, citing initiatives such as Aadhaar, Jan Dhan Yojana and the India Post Payments Bank. “We have opened over 560 million accounts, most in women’s names. India Post delivered over 900 million letters and parcels last year. This is the scale and spirit of inclusion we bring to the global stage,” he noted.

In a significant move, Scindia announced that India will contribute USD 10 million during this cycle to channel technology into innovation, with special focus on e-commerce and digital payments. He reaffirmed India’s readiness to share its expertise, resources, and partnerships under the guiding principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.’

Looking ahead, Scindia also declared India’s candidature for two key bodies of the UPU – the Council of Administration and the Postal Operations Council – underscoring New Delhi’s commitment to shaping a connected, inclusive, and sustainable future for the global postal community.

Concluding his address, Scindia said: “India comes to you not with proposals, but with partnership. We believe in resilience, in enabling interoperable solutions that avoid costly fragmentation, and in trust, linking payments, identity, addressing and logistics so that global commerce becomes seamless.”