India, France join hands to advance AI in Health
New Delhi: In a landmark step towards strengthening Indo-French cooperation in healthcare and emerging technologies, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Shri JP Nadda, and HE Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, yesterday inaugurated the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health (IF-CAIH) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
The IF-CAIH is a pioneering initiative aimed at advancing AI-driven research, medical education and clinical innovation to address complex healthcare challenges. It marks a significant milestone in India–France collaboration in digital health and reinforces Bharat’s vision of becoming a global leader in equitable and technology-enabled healthcare solutions.
The launch coincided with the high-level academic and scientific meetings – Rencontres Universitaires Et Scientifiques De Haut Niveau (RUSH) – being held on February 18-19, 2026, at AIIMS, New Delhi, coordinated by the French Embassy. A dedicated session titled “Indo-French Forum: AI in Brain Health and Global Healthcare” brought together leading scientists, clinicians, policymakers, and academic leaders from both countries, the PIB stated.
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The IF-CAIH has been established pursuant to a Joint Memorandum of Understanding signed between AIIMS New Delhi, Sorbonne University and Paris Brain Institute. The initiative also draws academic collaboration from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and leading French institutions, promoting interdisciplinary research in artificial intelligence, brain health and global healthcare systems.
The initiative builds upon ongoing institutional cooperation between India and France in priority areas such as Digital Health, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Human Resources for Health and the responsible use of health data. Collaborative efforts between research bodies and digital health institutions of both countries aim to enhance scientific discovery, strengthen evidence-based policymaking and promote capacity building and mobility partnerships.
The Indo-French Forum during RUSH 2026 aims to promote an integrated approach to global mental health challenges and enrich research ecosystems through cross-mobility of students, faculty, and researchers across the Indo-Pacific region.
As part of the RUSH 2026 programme, a special 30-minute conversation titled “RUSH – Conversation on Artificial Intelligence” was held between H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron and two young Indian innovators, Ms. Priyanka Das Rajkakati and Mr. Manan Suri. The interaction, moderated by Ms. Clara Chappaz, French Ambassador for AI and Digital, highlighted the importance of youth-led innovation, cross-border collaboration, and the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in shaping inclusive and sustainable global futures.
The programme also featured a special segment on “Major Scientific and Academic Cooperation Highlights between France and India” at the Jawaharlal Auditorium, moderated by Prof. Vijay Raghavan and Dr. Thierry Coulhon, Chairmen of RUSH. The session showcased key milestones and emerging avenues of collaboration in higher education, research, and innovation between the two countries, reflecting the depth and dynamism of the Indo-French knowledge partnership.
In his address, President Macron underscored the need for India and France to build sovereign AI capacity and talent, ensuring that AI development serves humanity without overdependence on a few global powers. He highlighted the transformative potential of ethical AI adoption across sectors, particularly in healthcare, to enhance productivity and accelerate scientific discovery. Emphasizing responsible governance, he called for safeguards to protect children, greater transparency in algorithms to address bias and democratic risks and the preservation of linguistic diversity in AI systems – an area where India and France share a common vision.
The President stated, “India and France are committed to developing the computing capacity and talent necessary to build our own trusted AI systems, as we cannot rely solely on technologies created and managed elsewhere.” He added, “Artificial Intelligence must serve humanity – with strong protections for children, transparency in algorithms to address bias, and a firm commitment to preserving linguistic and cultural diversity.”
Subsequently, H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron proceeded to inaugurate the International Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Global Health with a ceremonial walk, interacting with students en route and encouraging young researchers to pursue innovation-driven solutions in healthcare. The Hon’ble Union Health Minister, Shri J. P. Nadda was present throughout the programme and joined the inauguration ceremony at the IF-CAIH, reaffirming India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in AI-enabled global health.
The Government of India reiterates its commitment to deepening healthcare cooperation with France, leveraging innovation, shared democratic values, and collective expertise to build resilient health systems and deliver better health outcomes for people in India and across the globe.
