India-France Launch AI Health Centre at AIIMS

Union Health Minister Shri J P Nadda and French President H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron
inaugurated the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health (IF-CAIH) at AIIMS New Delhi on
February 18, 2026, marking a major stride in bilateral cooperation on AI-driven healthcare
innovation. This pioneering initiative advances research, medical education, and clinical
breakthroughs to tackle complex health challenges, aligning with India’s goal of
technology-enabled equitable healthcare leadership.
Established via a Joint MoU between AIIMS New Delhi, Sorbonne University, and Paris
Brain Institute, with IIT Delhi and other French institutions, the centre fosters interdisciplinary
work in AI, brain health, and global systems. The launch coincided with the Rencontres
Universitaires Et Scientifiques De Haut Niveau (RUSH) high-level meetings, featuring the
“Indo-French Forum: AI in Brain Health and Global Healthcare” uniting scientists, clinicians,
and policymakers.
Building on ties in digital health, antimicrobial resistance, health workforce, and data use, the
forum promotes integrated mental health approaches, student-faculty mobility across the
Indo-Pacific, and enriched research ecosystems. A highlight was President Macron’s
30-minute “RUSH – Conversation on Artificial Intelligence” with young Indian innovators Ms.
Priyanka Das Rajkakati and Mr. Manan Suri, moderated by French AI Ambassador Ms.
Clara Chappaz, stressing youth-led cross-border AI for inclusive futures.
Macron advocated sovereign AI capacity-building to avoid overreliance on dominant powers,
urging ethical adoption with child protections, algorithmic transparency against bias, and
linguistic diversity preservation, shared India-France priorities. He stated, “India and France
are committed to developing the computing capacity and talent necessary to build our own
trusted AI systems… Artificial Intelligence must serve humanity.”
The event included a session on Indo-French scientific highlights, moderated by Prof. Vijay
Raghavan and Dr. Thierry Coulhon, showcasing education, research, and innovation
milestones. Macron also inaugurated the International Centre for Artificial Intelligence in
Global Health, engaging students and reinforcing youth innovation. India reaffirms deepened
healthcare ties with France for resilient systems and superior global outcomes.