France’s President Emmanuel Macron put UPI in the global spotlight at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Moreover, he credited India for building digital systems at unmatched scale. He spoke in Delhi at Bharat Mandapam during the high-profile summit. Therefore, his remarks quickly framed UPI as a model for inclusive innovation.
Macron Links UPI to Everyday India
Macron opened with a personal story to show change on the ground. For example, he spoke about a Mumbai street vendor’s old banking struggle. However, he said the same vendor now accepts instant phone payments, free of cost. Consequently, he argued that technology now touches ordinary Indians directly.
Macron lauds India’s digital transformation, pioneering role in technology governance at AI Impact Summit
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/h5uENpqvnm #FrenchPresident #Macron #India #DigitalTransformation #Technology #AIImpactSummit2026 pic.twitter.com/kgqKvSpVln
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) February 19, 2026
“India Built What No Other Country Built,” Macron Says
Macron praised India’s digital identity reach in striking terms. Additionally, he said India created digital identity access for 1.4 billion citizens. He described that achievement as unique among nations. Meanwhile, the audience responded with applause as he repeated the line.
Macron Thanks PM Modi, Highlights AI Summit’s Global Role
Macron thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the invitation. Furthermore, he said he felt glad to return for the summit. He also described the forum as shaping the global future of artificial intelligence. Therefore, his UPI praise connected digital public goods with AI-era governance.
Jaipur 2024 Moment Returns to Centre Stage
Macron has praised UPI before, and he reminded audiences of that context. In 2024, he watched PM Modi pay via phone at a Jaipur shop. Moreover, Modi explained UPI’s speed, simplicity, and daily reach during the interaction. Macron appeared pleasantly surprised during the real-time confirmation.
#WATCH | Delhi: At the #IndiaAIImpactSummit2026, French President Emmanuel Macron says, “… At a time when tensions are rising, there is an increased sense of urgency to direct all our digital tools towards this inclusive approach and in order, indeed, to be strong here in India… pic.twitter.com/m1MXVS8P9k
— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2026
France Adoption Adds Weight to the Praise
In July 2023, PM Modi spoke about UPI use for Indian travellers in France. Then, France adopted UPI in February 2024 as Europe’s first such country. Additionally, NPCI International partnered with Lyra to enable merchant acceptance. Consequently, Indian tourists and students gained easier payments with existing UPI apps.
