"Indians Buy Fruits via UPI, Impossible in Germany"; German Minister

At the recent Annual Ambassadors' Conference of the German Foreign Office in Berlin, Germany's minister of Foreign affairs Annalena Baerbock remarked that two years back, she was thrilled to see the fruit sellers on the streets of Delhi were receiving payment from buyers through the UPI payment system, a scene she could not imagine in Germany.

Annalena Baerbock praises India's advancement in the digital payment system

Baerbock praised the advancement of the digital payment system in India in front of the Indian Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar commenting that Germans too should try and achieve this. As the majority of people in her country are not as active with digital payment systems as Indians are.

One of the key reasons for the popularity of digital payment methods, such as UPI, in countries like India is the push towards a cashless economy and the convenience it offers to users. The ease of transactions, instant payment confirmations, and security features make it a preferred choice for both customers and businesses.

In contrast, Germany has been slower in adopting digital payment systems due to a strong preference for cash transactions among the general population. 

Baerbock - A strong advocate for digital innovation

Baerbock is a strong advocate for digital innovation and development. She believes that the adoption of digital payment systems can lead to a more inclusive and accessible financial environment for all.

The Minister of External Affairs is in Germany on the second leg of his three-nation tour. He reached here from Saudi Arabia after attending the first India-Gulf Cooperation Council Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue.

"Glad to meet Mr Michael Roth, MP and Chairman of the @Bundestag Committee on Foreign Affairs. Shared views on current global challenges and possibilities of new collaborations between India and Germany," Jaishankar wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) after the meeting on Tuesday.

Glad to meet Mr Michael Roth, MP and Chairman of the @Bundestag Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Shared views on current global challenges, and possibilities of new collaborations between 🇮🇳 and 🇩🇪.@MiRo_SPD pic.twitter.com/STUwWR7wX2

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 10, 2024

The remarks made by Germany's minister of Foreign affairs, Annalena Baerbock, shed light on the importance of embracing digital innovation and learning from each other's experiences. As the world becomes more interconnected, the adoption of digital payment systems will play a crucial role in shaping the future of financial transactions.