An agreement signed on August 30, 2026, brings together NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre (NIPC). The announcement came during Narendra Modi’s visit to Uzbekistan as Prime Minister. NIPL manages NPCI’s overseas business.

The arrangement is aimed at Indians travelling for tourism, education or business. Customers can make purchases from their Indian bank accounts through UZQR, Uzbekistan’s interoperable national QR standard. The facility supports person-to-merchant payments, meaning payments to businesses rather than transfers between individuals.

Uzbekistan’s domestic payment network, HUMO, provides the underlying connection. The country’s central bank has appointed HUMO as NIPL’s authorised partner. According to the report, the arrangement operates within the regulatory framework recognised by authorities in both countries, including RBI.

The UZQR network gives the integration access to nearly all shops, hotels and service businesses in Uzbekistan. It offers visitors an alternative to carrying substantial cash or using international cards. However, specific transaction charges, conversion rates and payment limits have not been stated.

Uzbekistan joins an overseas acceptance network that already includes Nepal, France, Singapore, Bhutan, Greece, Qatar, Mauritius, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and the UAE. The expansion is intended to support travel and commercial links between India and Uzbekistan.