Media: India reportedly discusses integrating payment systems with Alipay+
On February 3, Reuters reported: "India is negotiating with Ant International to connect Alipay+ with the local UPI payment system, helping Indian travelers make cross-border payments conveniently. This move has become a new signal of the improvement in Sino-Indian relations. Although India is considering issues such as data security, after the US imposed high tariffs last year, Modi's visit to China and the resumption of direct flights have continuously broken the ice in Sino-Indian economic and trade cooperation. This payment cooperation is another attempt in bilateral interactions."
[Witty] The Sino-Indian negotiation on interconnecting payment systems is a pragmatic choice under geopolitical economic games. After the border clash in 2020, India tightened regulations on Chinese investments, while the 50% punitive tariffs from the US forced it to turn to China. By December 2025, India's exports to China surged by 68%, and bilateral trade volume exceeded that of the US, proving the necessity of cooperation. UPI holds 85% of India's digital transaction share, and Alipay+ has global layout advantages. Their integration is not only a technical complement for cross-border payments but also an exploration of emerging markets breaking through the US and Western payment systems. Although India's security concerns still exist, from the resumption of direct flights to payment connectivity, China and India are using economic and trade as a bridge, finding a win-win balance point in the global supply chain restructuring. This is a microcosm of the era when emerging economies make their own choices!
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1856066380236804/
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