NEW DELHI : Apple Pay became available in India on Wednesday, marking the technology giant’s entry into one of the world’s largest digital payments markets.

The service is available on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, with support for Mac expected to follow.

At launch, customers holding Visa and Mastercard credit cards issued by Axis Bank can add their cards to Apple Pay and use them at participating merchants across India and at locations that accept NFC contactless payments.

Apple said the service allows customers to pay in stores by tapping their device, without requiring an additional payment app, PIN or one-time password at checkout. Apple Pay can also be used for purchases in supported apps and on websites without repeatedly entering card details.

Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, said India’s growing adoption of cashless payments made it an important market for the service.

“India is home to a dynamic and digitally savvy population that continues to embrace a cashless future while expecting the highest standards of security and privacy,” Bailey said.

Axis Bank Managing Director and CEO Amitabh Chaudhry said the introduction of Apple Pay would provide its credit card customers with greater choice and flexibility across the Mastercard and Visa networks.

Apple Pay uses tokenisation to protect transactions, replacing a customer’s actual card number with a device-specific credential. Mastercard said its tokenisation technology ensures card details are not shared with merchants during Apple Pay transactions.

Visa said the launch would expand payment choices for Indian consumers and contribute to the development of the country’s digital payments ecosystem.

India has seen rapid growth in digital payments in recent years, driven largely by widespread adoption of mobile-based payment systems. Apple Pay’s launch adds another contactless payment option for consumers, although access at launch is limited to eligible Axis Bank credit cards.