NPCI’s international arm NPCI International Payments (NIPL) and the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan have partnered for enabling and implementing BHIM UPI QR-based payments in Bhutan. The service was formally launched by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Finance Minister of Bhutan Lyonpo Namgay Tsheringon 13 July 2021 at a virtual ceremony. Nirmala Sitharaman said the services have started in Bhutan under India’s neighbourhood first policy. The collaboration between NIPL and RMA will enable acceptance of Unified Payments Interface, powered BHIM app in Bhutan. RMA will ensure that the participating NPCI mobile application through UPI QR transactions is accepted at all RMA acquired merchants in Bhutan. The launch will benefit more than 200,000 tourists from India who travel to Bhutan each year. With this launch, Bhutan will become the first country to adopt UPI standards for its QR deployment. Bhutan will also become the only country to both issue & accept RuPay cards as well as accept BHIM UPI. The function was also attended by Minister of State for Finance Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad, and the MD & CEO of NPCI Dilip Asbe.