Published: 7 February 2026PIB / Rajya Sabha Statement / IBEF / Biometric UpdateScience & Technology
India Signs DPI MoUs with 23 Countries; UPI Goes Live in 8 Nations Under India Stack Diplomacy
As disclosed in Parliament on February 6, 2026, by Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada, India has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) or cooperation agreements with 23 countries to share and promote its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and India Stack components. The partner countries span Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia-Pacific, and South Asia — including Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Cuba, Colombia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Fiji, and Mongolia, among others.
The India Stack framework encompasses Aadhaar-based digital identity, UPI for payments, DigiLocker for document management, and ONDC for open commerce. UPI is now operationally live in over 8 countries: UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, and Qatar. DigiLocker-specific MoUs have been signed with Cuba, Kenya, UAE, and Lao PDR.
This DPI diplomacy positions India as a global leader in digital governance exports, generating goodwill among developing nations, advancing interoperability of payment systems, and supporting the G20's framework for inclusive digital economies. The initiative also builds soft power, as India's cost-effective and scalable DPI model — built on open-source architecture — is increasingly viewed as an alternative to proprietary Western fintech solutions.
Mains angle
Q: Analyse India's Digital Public Infrastructure diplomacy through recent MoUs with 23 countries and the live deployment of UPI in eight nations.
Answer (50 words):
India signed DPI MoUs with 23 countries covering Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, and ONDC, disclosed in Parliament on February 6, 2026. UPI is operational in eight nations: UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, and Qatar. DigiLocker MoUs exist with Cuba, Kenya, UAE, and Lao PDR, advancing India's digital soft power.
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Frequently asked questions
How many countries has India signed Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) MoUs with and when was this announced?
India signed DPI MoUs with 23 countries, covering platforms like Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, and ONDC. This was announced on February 6, 2026, positioning India as the global leader in DPI exports.
In how many countries is UPI currently live and operational under the India Stack Diplomacy framework?
UPI is live and operational in 8 countries under the India Stack Diplomacy framework. This reflects India's push to export its digital payments infrastructure to partner nations.
What are the four core pillars of India Stack and what does each represent?
India Stack comprises four core pillars: Aadhaar (digital identity), UPI (payments), DigiLocker (document storage and verification), and ONDC (open commerce network). Together they form an interoperable digital public infrastructure that India is promoting globally.
How does DPI diplomacy relate to India's G20 legacy?
During India's G20 Presidency in 2023, Digital Public Infrastructure was championed as a global development tool. The DPI MoUs with 23 countries extend this legacy by promoting open, interoperable digital ecosystems as a model for developing nations.
Why is India's DPI model significant for developing countries?
India's DPI model demonstrates how low-cost, open-source digital infrastructure can enable financial inclusion, governance, and commerce at scale. It serves as a replicable blueprint for developing nations seeking to build sovereign digital public systems without vendor lock-in.
