ArdorComm Media News Network
February 20, 2026
In a major step to deepen bilateral cooperation in healthcare and emerging technologies, Union Health Minister JP Nadda and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health (IFCAIH) at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
The newly launched centre is envisioned as a pioneering platform to accelerate AI-driven research, strengthen medical education, and promote clinical innovation. According to official sources, the IFCAIH aims to tackle complex healthcare challenges while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between Indian and French institutions.
Addressing the gathering, President Macron underlined the importance of developing sovereign AI capabilities. He stressed that India and France must build their own computing capacity and skilled talent to create trusted AI systems, rather than relying entirely on technologies developed elsewhere. He added that artificial intelligence must serve humanity, with strong safeguards for children, algorithmic transparency to reduce bias, and a commitment to preserving linguistic and cultural diversity.
The launch of the centre coincided with the Rencontres Universitaires et Scientifiques de Haut Niveau (RUSH) 2026, a high-level academic and scientific forum organised at AIIMS on February 18 and 19 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 IFCAIH has been established under a joint Memorandum of Understanding between AIIMS, Sorbonne University, and Paris Brain Institute, with additional collaboration from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and other leading French institutions. The initiative builds upon ongoing India-France cooperation in priority areas such as digital health, antimicrobial resistance, human resources for health, and the responsible use of health data.
As part of the RUSH 2026 programme, President Macron engaged with young Indian innovators, including Priyanka Das Rajkakati and Manan Suri, during an interactive session moderated by Clara Chappaz, spotlighting youth-led innovation and cross-border AI collaboration.
The event also featured a special segment at the Jawaharlal Auditorium highlighting major scientific and academic cooperation milestones between France and India. Moderated by Prof. Vijay Raghavan and Dr. Thierry Coulhon, Chairmen of RUSH, the session showcased expanding partnerships in higher education, research, and innovation.
Union Minister JP Nadda reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening AI-enabled healthcare collaboration with France, noting that the new centre will serve as a catalyst for innovation, capacity building, and global knowledge exchange.
President Macron later posted on X that France and India are mobilising AI for research, training, and innovation for the common good, reinforcing the shared vision of ethical, inclusive, and globally beneficial AI in healthcare.
Source: ANI