(Commonwealth_India) A new trend of partnership is emerging between India and the United Kingdom, as numerous UK-based fintech businesses are setting their sights on the Indian market. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI), India’s flagship real-time payments platform, connects these firms to facilitate smarter and faster cross-border payment resolutions. Their access is not only to grow business interest but also to a broader placement between two of the world’s most active fintech ecosystems.
Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest 2025, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra painted an optimistic picture of this partnership-driven future. He said that India and the UK, together, have a rare opportunity to create something much larger than a trade alliance—a model for how fintech innovation can advance global inclusion and trust. “The opportunities for collaboration are immense,” Malhotra said. “These partnerships can deliver benefits far beyond bilateral gains. They can set new global standards for inclusion, efficiency, and transparency in digital finance.”
Malhotra called on India’s fintech leaders to think big and build a financial ecosystem that is not just innovative but also deeply human, one that puts the consumer first, empowers small businesses, and ensures that technology serves as an equalizer rather than a divider. He said India’s success in digital finance has already proven how technology can be used to democratize access to opportunity. Platforms such as UPI, Aadhaar, and DigiLocker, he noted, have made financial services faster, safer, and more accessible to millions of people, including those who were once excluded from the formal financial system. “Our digital public infrastructure has been a game changer,” he said. “It has improved efficiency and service delivery, while giving every citizen, from street vendors to professionals, a simple way to connect with the financial world.”
He also acknowledged that the UK brings complementary strengths to this partnership. Its fintech ecosystem, widely regarded as one of the most advanced globally, has deep expertise in payments, regtech, suptech, and open finance. Malhotra said the UK’s disciplined approach to innovation—marked by strong governance and consumer protection—has allowed fintech growth there to be both rapid and sustainable.
By joining forces, he suggested, India and the UK could unlock powerful synergies that benefit both economies and potentially shape the future of digital finance worldwide. Malhotra noted that both nations are already among the top fintech ecosystems globally, home to thousands of startups, innovative entrepreneurs, and a steady inflow of global investments. “India and the UK host some of the most vibrant and forward-looking fintech communities,” he said. “Fintech is not just an industry anymore; it’s a transformative force that’s reshaping our economies, empowering people, and creating new opportunities every day.”
He concluded with a vision of collaboration built on shared values of inclusion, innovation, and trust. The India–UK partnership, he said, could become a blueprint for the world, showing how countries can work together to build a more connected, efficient, and inclusive financial future.
