In a landmark step towards strengthening Indo-French cooperation in healthcare and emerging technologies, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, J P Nadda, and Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, inaugurated the Indo French Centre for AI in Health (IF-CAIH) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi on February 18.
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.
In Delhi, we are inaugurating the Franco-Indian Center for Artificial Intelligence in Health, jointly led by AIIMS, Sorbonne University, and the Paris Brain Institute.
Research, training, innovation: France and India are harnessing AI for the common good! pic.twitter.com/MCW9XPxUpo
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 18, 2026
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 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 Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and leading French institutions, promoting interdisciplinary research in artificial intelligence, brain health and global healthcare systems.
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 Emmanuel Macron and two young Indian innovators, Priyanka Das Rajkakati and Manan Suri.
The interaction, moderated by 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, “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, 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 Union Health Minister, J. P. Nadda was present throughout the programme and joined the inauguration ceremony at the IF-CAIH.
