India and France inaugurate Indo‑French Centre for AI in Health at AIIMS New Delhi

What happened

India and France jointly opened the Indo‑French Centre for AI in Health (IF‑CAIH) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, on 18‑19 February 2026. The inauguration was part of the high‑level Rencontres Universitaires Et Scientifiques De Haut Niveau (RUSH) meetings held on the AIIMS campus.

Who was involved

The ceremony was led by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda and French President Emmanuel Macron. French Ambassador for AI and Digital Clara Chappaz moderated a 30‑minute conversation between President Macron and young Indian innovators Priyanka Das Rajkakati and Manan Suri. The RUSH forum was chaired by Prof. Vijay Raghavan and Dr Thierry Coulhon.

Institutional partnership

The centre stems from a Joint Memorandum of Understanding signed between:

• AIIMS New Delhi
• Sorbonne University (France)
• Paris Brain Institute (France)
• Academic collaboration from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT‑Delhi)

The MoU binds the four institutions to joint research in artificial intelligence, brain health and global healthcare systems, as well as faculty and student exchanges.

Why it matters

India’s health sector is rapidly embracing digital solutions, and the IF‑CAIH is positioned as a flagship of Indo‑French cooperation in this field. President Macron stressed the need for “sovereign AI capacity”, noting that both nations must develop trusted AI systems rather than rely on external providers. The centre will:

• Foster interdisciplinary AI research aimed at brain‑related disorders and wider public‑health challenges.
• Support evidence‑based policy making through data‑driven insights.
• Expand mobility opportunities for students and researchers across the Indo‑Pacific region.

The launch builds on existing collaborations in digital health, antimicrobial resistance and responsible health‑data use, signalling a deepening of strategic ties between the two democracies.

Looking ahead

The IF‑CAIH will host regular workshops, joint PhD programmes and pilot projects that integrate AI tools into clinical workflows at AIIMS. Officials expect the centre to become a hub for innovation that can be replicated in other Indian hospitals, reinforcing the government’s agenda of strengthening domestic healthcare infrastructure while showcasing India’s role as a leader in AI‑enabled health solutions.

Key moments from the inauguration

• President Macron’s quote: “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.”
• A special session titled “Indo‑French Forum: AI in Brain Health and Global Healthcare” brought together scientists, clinicians and policymakers from both countries.
• Young innovators Priyanka Das Rajkakati and Manan Suri presented prototypes that illustrate the potential of AI‑driven diagnostics for rural health settings.

The centre’s launch is a concrete step toward a more resilient, technology‑enabled health system for India and a model of international scientific partnership.