India’s flagship digital payments platform, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), has officially expanded to Greece with the launch of UPI services through a partnership between Eurobank and NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL). The milestone was marked during Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit to Athens, where he witnessed a live demonstration of the new payment facility at Eurobank’s headquarters.
The demonstration took place in the presence of Eurobank Chief Executive Officer Fokion Karavias and Fairfax Digital Services CEO Sanjay Tugnait, highlighting another significant step in the international expansion of India’s digital public infrastructure. The launch enables eligible users to make instant, secure and seamless money transfers using UPI, while significantly reducing transaction costs compared to conventional cross-border payment systems.
Speaking on the occasion, Goyal described the launch as an important milestone in the global journey of India’s digital payments ecosystem. He said the increasing international acceptance of UPI reflects the confidence of partner countries in India’s technology-driven innovations and the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to develop digital solutions that benefit people across borders.
According to the minister, the availability of UPI in Greece will make financial transactions more efficient for customers and businesses while strengthening economic connectivity between the two nations. He noted that affordable and secure digital payment systems have become a key driver of trade, tourism and commercial engagement in an increasingly interconnected global economy.
Goyal is leading a high-level delegation of senior government officials and Indian business leaders on a visit to Greece aimed at expanding bilateral economic cooperation and exploring new avenues of commercial partnership.
The first day of the visit featured a series of engagements focused on strengthening collaboration across finance, trade, technology and infrastructure. The programme commenced with a meeting between the Indian delegation and the leadership team of Eurobank at Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens. Discussions centred on enhancing financial cooperation, promoting investments and identifying opportunities for long-term business growth.
The minister later participated in the India-Greece Business Council Meeting and Business Forum held at the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI). The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders and entrepreneurs from both countries to discuss ways to deepen economic engagement.
A major highlight of the forum was the organisation of three sector-specific roundtable discussions covering Infrastructure; Digital Innovation and Defence; and Food Processing and Agriculture. The infrastructure session focused on areas such as energy, ports, logistics, shipbuilding, warehousing, trade and the gem and jewellery sector. These discussions provided a platform for Indian and Greek companies to identify complementary strengths and explore collaborative projects.
The digital innovation and defence roundtable examined opportunities for cooperation in emerging technologies, cybersecurity, innovation ecosystems and defence manufacturing. Meanwhile, the food processing and agriculture session explored possibilities for expanding trade in agricultural products, food processing technologies and value-added agri-business partnerships.
Business leaders from both countries actively participated in the discussions, reflecting growing interest in strengthening commercial relationships and developing new investment opportunities. The focused interactions enabled participants to exchange ideas, identify sector-specific synergies and build networks for future collaboration.
Addressing the gathering, Goyal emphasised the shared commitment of India and Greece to promoting trade, investment and innovation-led growth. He highlighted India’s rapidly growing economy, expanding digital infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities, while encouraging Greek businesses to explore opportunities in sectors ranging from logistics and clean energy to technology and agriculture.
The day concluded with the India-Greece Business Summit, attended by ministers and senior industry representatives from both countries. The summit reaffirmed the shared vision of creating a stronger and more dynamic economic partnership through enhanced trade, investment and technological cooperation.
A networking reception hosted at the ACCI brought the day’s events to a close, providing an opportunity for business leaders, policymakers and institutional representatives to strengthen professional relationships and explore future collaborations in an informal setting.
The launch of UPI services in Greece, coupled with high-level business engagements, signals a new phase in India-Greece economic relations. As India continues to expand the global footprint of its digital public infrastructure, the partnership with Greece is expected to facilitate smoother financial transactions, encourage cross-border trade and investment, and reinforce the growing strategic and economic ties between the two countries.
Author: Shivam
Shivam Dwivedi is a senior journalist with extensive experience in research-driven journalism, policy communication, and multi-platform storytelling. His areas of interest include international relations, defence, science & technology, education, urban development, agriculture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. His work focuses on in-depth analysis, public discourse, and impactful narratives across governance and development sectors, with a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact: [email protected]
