BHIM-UPI launched in Bhutan with the help of India

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India and Bhutan jointly launched BHIM-UPI in Bhutan on 13th July, 2021 in a virtual ceremony at Ministry of Finance, New Delhi.

About

• BHIM services have started under India’s neighborhood first policy.
• BHIM UPI is one of the redeeming feature and an achievement for digital transactions in India during the time of COVID-19 pandemic.
• This launch fulfils the commitment made by the two countries during the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India’s State visit to Bhutan in 2019.
• After that visit India and Bhutan have started the inter-operability in acceptance of Rupay cards.
• With this launch payment infrastructure between both the countries is smoothly connected and will also benefit the tourist and businessman who travel to Bhutan every year.
• Bhutan is the first country to embrace UPI standards for its QR formation, and the first country in our immediate neighborhood to accept mobile based payments through the BHIM App.

Bhutan along with Maldives were the first recipient of COVISHIELD vaccines manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII), India. India and Bhutan share special relations with each other and India ensured uninterrupted supply of trade and essentials items during COVID pandemic. India has also introduced an “Air Travel Arrangement” or “Transport Bubble” agreement with Bhutan.

About Air Transport Bubbles

“Transport Bubbles” or “Air Travel Arrangements” are temporary arrangements between two countries aimed at restarting commercial passenger services when regular international flights are suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are reciprocal in nature, meaning airlines from both countries enjoy similar benefits.