India and France have strengthened their partnership in healthcare and emerging technologies with the inauguration of the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health (IF-CAIH) at All India Institute of Medical Sciences on February 18. The centre was jointly inaugurated by Union Health Minister JP Nadda and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The IF-CAIH has been set up to advance artificial intelligence-driven research, strengthen medical education, and accelerate clinical innovation. The initiative aims to address complex healthcare challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration between Indian and French institutions.
Speaking at the event, President Macron emphasised the need to develop sovereign AI capabilities. He stated that both countries must build their own computing infrastructure and skilled talent to create trusted AI systems, instead of depending solely on external technologies. He also underlined that AI should serve humanity, with safeguards for children, transparency to reduce algorithmic bias, and protection of linguistic and cultural diversity.
The launch coincided with the Rencontres Universitaires et Scientifiques de Haut Niveau (RUSH) 2026, a high-level academic and scientific forum held at AIIMS on February 18 and 19, coordinated by the French Embassy. A key session titled “Indo-French Forum: AI in Brain Health and Global Healthcare” brought together scientists, clinicians, policymakers, and academic leaders from both nations to explore collaborative solutions in global health.
The centre has been established under a joint MoU between AIIMS, Sorbonne University, and Paris Brain Institute, with additional collaboration from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and other leading French institutions. It builds on existing India-France cooperation in areas such as digital health, antimicrobial resistance, human resources for health, and responsible use of health data.
During the RUSH 2026 programme, President Macron interacted with Indian innovators, including Priyanka Das Rajkakati and Manan Suri, highlighting youth-led innovation and cross-border collaboration in AI. Another segment at the Jawaharlal Auditorium showcased key milestones in Indo-French scientific and academic cooperation.
Union Minister JP Nadda reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening AI-enabled healthcare collaboration and described the IF-CAIH as a platform for innovation, capacity building, and global knowledge exchange.
The launch marks a significant milestone in India-France relations, reflecting a shared vision for ethical, inclusive, and globally beneficial AI in healthcare.
