India advances digital payments while urging US trade pact to drive growth

At a digital payments conclave in New Delhi, officials and experts stressed that India's digital economy is a cornerstone of its future, calling the sector “a key pillar of India's future economic and social progress.” They highlighted the need for stronger consumer protection, AI‑enabled fraud detection and coordinated cybersecurity to sustain the growth of the Unified Payments Interface and other digital public infrastructure.

Economist Surjit Bhalla urged the Indian government to finalize a trade settlement with the United States, saying it would “unleash animal spirits” and help India become a necessary participant on the international stage. He warned that delays would benefit China and called for transparent debate over the winners and losers of such a deal.