Apple Pay has launched in India through a partnership with Axis Bank, giving the payment service its first foothold in one of the world's largest digital payments markets. The lender announced the launch on September 30.

Axis Bank is the first Indian bank to offer Apple Pay. Initially, customers with Axis Bank credit cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks can use the service. Cards on India's homegrown RuPay network are not eligible at launch.

Users can add eligible cards through the Axis Bank mobile app or Apple Wallet. Payments can then be made in stores, in apps and online using an iPhone, Apple Watch or iPad. Transactions are authenticated with Face ID, Touch ID or a device passcode, with no card PIN or one-time password needed.

"India is home to a dynamic and digitally savvy population," said Jennifer Bailey, Apple's vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. Axis Bank is India's fourth-largest credit card issuer, with 16.3 million cards outstanding out of 124 million nationwide, according to central bank data.

Apple has held talks with larger rivals HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank but has yet to agree commercial terms with them. The service will be accepted at merchants including Blinkit, Croma, Ixigo, Reliance brands, Tata 1mg and Zomato.