India–Bahrain Digital Payment Boost: NPCI Links UPI with Fawri+ for Instant Money Transfers

NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the global arm of India’s National Payments Corporation (NPCI), has partnered with BENEFIT, Bahrain’s leading fintech company, to enable real-time cross-border money transfers between India and Bahrain. The initiative connects India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Bahrain’s Fawri+ electronic fund transfer system, allowing instant, secure, and cost-effective remittances.

This partnership marks a key milestone in enhancing financial connectivity and promoting digital payment inclusion between the two countries.

India–Bahrain Digital Payment Boost: NPCI Links UPI with Fawri+ for Instant Money Transfers

Key Highlights of the Partnership

• Instant Transfers: Linking UPI and Fawri+ enables users in both India and Bahrain to send and receive money in real time.
• Secure Transactions: The integration ensures safety and efficiency in every cross-border transaction.
• Financial Inclusion: Supports the wider adoption of digital payments, benefiting individuals and small businesses.
• Strategic Corridor: Especially beneficial for the large Indian community in Bahrain, which constitutes nearly 30% of the country’s population.

This initiative is supported by both the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), strengthening bilateral financial cooperation.

NBBL and CCIL Launch Forex Services on Bharat Connect

Alongside this partnership, NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited (NBBL)—a subsidiary of NPCI—has collaborated with Clearcorp Dealing Systems (India) Ltd. (Clearcorp), part of the Clearing Corporation of India Ltd. (CCIL), to launch forex services on the Bharat Connect platform.

Key Features

• Retail Forex Transactions: Users can buy foreign currency, reload Forex Cards, and make outward remittances.
• Seamless Integration: Services are available through mobile banking apps and Third Party Application Providers (TPAPs) integrated with the Bharat Connect (BBPS) platform.
• Event Launch: Introduced during the Global Fintech Fest 2025, highlighting India’s growing leadership in the digital finance sector.

Significance of the Initiative

The dual developments mark an important step in India’s journey toward global digital payment leadership. These initiatives aim to:

• Enhance cross-border payment connectivity between India and Bahrain.
• Simplify forex and remittance frameworks for everyday users.
• Promote affordable, faster, and secure financial transactions across nations.
• Boost India’s global fintech image as a pioneer in real-time payment infrastructure.

Exam-Oriented Notes

• Partnership: NPCI International Payments Limited (India) & BENEFIT (Bahrain).
• Linked Platforms: India’s UPI and Bahrain’s Fawri+.
• Objective: Enable instant and secure cross-border remittances.
• Supported by: RBI and Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB).
• Target Group: Indian community in Bahrain (approx. 30% of the population).
• Additional Development: NBBL & CCIL launched forex services via Bharat Connect.
• Transactions Supported: Buying forex, reloading cards, and outward remittances.
• Launch Event: Global Fintech Fest 2025.

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Question & Answer

Q1. NPCI International has partnered with which company to enable cross-border UPI payments between India and Bahrain?
(a) PayTabs
(b) BENEFIT
(c) FinTech Bahrain
(d) RippleNet
Answer: BENEFIT

Q2. The cross-border payment link connects India’s UPI with which Bahrain system?
(a) BenefitPay
(b) Fawri+
(c) Tamweel
(d) FinConnect
Answer: Fawri+

Q3. The NPCI–BENEFIT partnership is primarily aimed at which purpose?
(a) Promoting tourism
(b) Instant and secure cross-border remittances
(c) Launching a new cryptocurrency
(d) Tax-free international shopping
Answer: Instant and secure cross-border remittances

Q4. Which subsidiary of NPCI launched forex services on Bharat Connect?
(a) NIPL
(b) NBBL
(c) RuPay
(d) BHIM
Answer: NBBL

Q5. The forex service collaboration involves NBBL and which organisation?
(a) CCIL
(b) SEBI
(c) RBI
(d) IRDAI
Answer: CCIL

Q6. The NPCI–BENEFIT partnership benefits mainly which community in Bahrain?
(a) Filipino workers
(b) Indian diaspora
(c) African community
(d) European expats
Answer: Indian diaspora

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