India stalls Alipay+ UPI link over security and data concerns

India has reportedly paused approval for an Alipay+ connection to UPI, citing security, data-storage, cyberfraud and money-laundering risks. The delay limits a potential cross-border payment corridor for Indian travellers across Alipay+’s 150 million-merchant network and for inbound visitors to India.

— Source publishedThu, 3 Sept, 2026, 14:25 IST·First seen Thu, 3 Sept, 2026, 14:44 IST·Source ET Small Business

What happened

India has stalled Alipay+'s proposed UPI linkage for cross-border payments, citing national-security, data-storage, cyberfraud and money-laundering concerns.

Key facts

  • 150 million merchants
  • $23.8 trillion projected Asia-Pacific outbound cross-border payments market by 2032

Why this matters

Prioritise partnerships with India-approved payment rails and build rigorous data-localisation, fraud and AML safeguards into any cross-border payments deal.