New Delhi — Trinidad and Tobago is pursuing the implementation of India's Unified Payments Interface, which would make it the first Caribbean nation to adopt the digital payment technology, the country's High Commissioner to India, Chandradath Singh, said on Monday.
Addressing an event marking the 50th anniversary of Trinidad and Tobago becoming a republic, Singh said the UPI initiative was being actively pursued under a landmark agreement between the National Payments Corporation of India International Payments Limited (NIPL) and the country's Ministry of Digital Transformation.
Real-time payments for the Caribbean
The initiative aims to establish a real-time, efficient digital payment ecosystem in the Caribbean nation, reflecting India's growing role in exporting its digital public infrastructure.
Singh underlined the expanding strategic partnership between the two countries, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Trinidad and Tobago had resulted in six Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, laying the foundation for stronger people-to-people ties, trade, investment and technical collaboration. The two nations are marking 64 years of diplomatic relations, while the High Commissioner noted that Indian indentured labourers arrived in Trinidad 181 years ago.
Energy, exports and a UNSC seat
On economic cooperation, Singh described Trinidad and Tobago as a major natural gas producer, with production of around 3.3 billion standard cubic feet per day over the past five years. The energy sector accounts for an estimated 35.7 per cent of the country's GDP and around 78 per cent of its exports.
He pointed to ongoing energy projects involving international companies such as Shell, BP and ExxonMobil, representing investments worth hundreds of millions of dollars and potential employment opportunities.
Singh also highlighted India's contribution to the country's healthcare and digital transformation, including the recognition of India's Pharmacopeia Standards, an agreement for an Indian Chair on Ayurveda at the University of the West Indies, laptops for local schoolchildren and medical assistance through the Jaipur Foot initiative.
The country has secured a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2027-28 term with 181 out of 190 votes, he said, thanking India for its support and invoking the message of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" — the world is one family.
Sources:
The Tribune (ANI): Trinidad and Tobago to become first Caribbean nation to adopt India's UPI
Addressing an event marking the 50th anniversary of Trinidad and Tobago becoming a republic, Singh said the UPI initiative was being actively pursued under a landmark agreement between the National Payments Corporation of India International Payments Limited (NIPL) and the country's Ministry of Digital Transformation.
Real-time payments for the Caribbean
The initiative aims to establish a real-time, efficient digital payment ecosystem in the Caribbean nation, reflecting India's growing role in exporting its digital public infrastructure.
Singh underlined the expanding strategic partnership between the two countries, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Trinidad and Tobago had resulted in six Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, laying the foundation for stronger people-to-people ties, trade, investment and technical collaboration. The two nations are marking 64 years of diplomatic relations, while the High Commissioner noted that Indian indentured labourers arrived in Trinidad 181 years ago.
Energy, exports and a UNSC seat
On economic cooperation, Singh described Trinidad and Tobago as a major natural gas producer, with production of around 3.3 billion standard cubic feet per day over the past five years. The energy sector accounts for an estimated 35.7 per cent of the country's GDP and around 78 per cent of its exports.
He pointed to ongoing energy projects involving international companies such as Shell, BP and ExxonMobil, representing investments worth hundreds of millions of dollars and potential employment opportunities.
Singh also highlighted India's contribution to the country's healthcare and digital transformation, including the recognition of India's Pharmacopeia Standards, an agreement for an Indian Chair on Ayurveda at the University of the West Indies, laptops for local schoolchildren and medical assistance through the Jaipur Foot initiative.
The country has secured a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2027-28 term with 181 out of 190 votes, he said, thanking India for its support and invoking the message of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" — the world is one family.
Sources:
The Tribune (ANI): Trinidad and Tobago to become first Caribbean nation to adopt India's UPI
