Apple restarts talks for Apple Pay in India

Apple reconsiders launching Apple Pay in India as Tim Cook meets with bankers and officials during his visit

Apple has been engaging with Indian authorities and officials in the past few weeks, to launch its payment service, Apple Pay in India. In a market dominated by Walmart’s PhonePe, Google’s GPay and Paytm, Apple hopes to begin talks conversations with NPCI, to enter the Indian market.

The company CEO, Tim Cook, met with Indian bankers during his visit to the subcontinent, and has already begun working on a localized version of Apple Pay that works atop of UPI. NPCI, a special division of the central bank in India, Reserve Bank of India, oversees the UPI Platform.

Apple intends iPhone users in India to be able to scan QR codes and initiate UPI transactions without having to use any PSP app.

Though Apple hasn't responded for a request to comment on the matter, its recent inaugeration of its first store in India proved a stepping stone to launching more services in the country. Company executives had told the press six years ago that Apple would launch Apple Pay soon, but the statement never materialised.