'Narendra’s Ongoing Trump Appeasement': Congress's dig at PM on UPI move
The Indian Congress party has criticized the government's decision to impose a 0.4% fee on UPI transactions over ₹2,000. The opposition claims this move favors U.S. card companies and reflects an appeasement policy toward the Trump administration.
Why it matters
The debate highlights tensions between domestic digital payment infrastructure and international trade pressures regarding market access for foreign financial firms.
The Congress on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) accused the government of giving in to a U.S. demand to get rid of zero Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) and charge for UPI , and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "redefined NOTA - Narendra's Ongoing Trump Appeasement".
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh also asked whether the government move on MDR was done to enable U.S. card companies to compete with UPI.
He said that tomorrow the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on a Bill that introduces 100% tariffs on India.
The U.S. Senate has already approved this draconian law, he pointed out.
The Trump regime has also been cracking down on Indian immigrants and making tougher laws against them, Mr. Ramesh said on X .
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