I don't agree with your interpretation on this being a stealth tactic but even if this was one it's just the state institutions acting in the interest of their mandate. This might not be beneficial to you employer or Visa or MasterCard or few high flying credit card users of the super rich class but it is in the interest of the people.
If they think it's time to move beyond cards due to the strategic overdependence on foreign service providers like Visa who can disrupt the Indian financial system at the behest of their US govt or other interests it's the right thing to discourage them directly or indirectly.
Think in the interest of the people. WTO commitments are not worth the paper they are written on. State should do the right thing to benefit the people as a whole not worry about inconvenience to a few people or few middle men or foreign companies.
If they think it's time to move beyond cards due to the strategic overdependence on foreign service providers like Visa who can disrupt the Indian financial system at the behest of their US govt or other interests it's the right thing to discourage them directly or indirectly.
Think in the interest of the people. WTO commitments are not worth the paper they are written on. State should do the right thing to benefit the people as a whole not worry about inconvenience to a few people or few middle men or foreign companies.