India-Bhutan UPI Connectivity Enters New Phase

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar joined Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay and Bhutan’s Foreign Minister D. N. Dhungyel for the launch of Phase-II of international UPI connectivity, enabling Bhutanese citizens visiting India to make payments using UPI.

Joined PM Bhutan Dasho @tsheringtobgay and @FMBhutan D. N. Dhungyel in :

➡️ Launching the phase-II of international UPI @UPI_NPCI for Bhutanese citizens visiting India to make payments. Together with the use of UPI in Bhutan, this completes two-way UPI-based digital payment… pic.twitter.com/2YiLsChxrZ

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 17, 2026

Dr. Jaishankar said the initiative, together with the use of UPI in Bhutan, completes two-way UPI-based digital payment connectivity between India and Bhutan. The development is expected to further facilitate digital payments for people travelling between the two countries.

The EAM also witnessed the exchange of an MoU on extending the Nehru-Wangchuck Scholarship Scheme, which supports higher education for Bhutanese students at Indian institutions. The initiative further strengthens cooperation between India and Bhutan in education, human-resource development and capacity building.

The Nehru-Wangchuck Scholarship is part of the broader India-Bhutan education partnership. The Embassy of India in Thimphu describes education as an important pillar of bilateral cooperation, alongside scholarships, institutional engagement and capacity-building initiatives.