India and France marked a significant milestone in bilateral cooperation with the inauguration of the Indo French Centre for AI in Health at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. The Centre was jointly inaugurated by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda and Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic.
The Indo French Centre for AI in Health is a pioneering initiative designed to advance artificial intelligence driven research, medical education and clinical innovation to address complex healthcare challenges. The launch strengthens collaboration between the two countries in digital health and emerging technologies and reinforces India’s vision of building equitable and technology enabled healthcare systems.
The inauguration coincided with the high level academic and scientific meetings titled Rencontres Universitaires Et Scientifiques De Haut Niveau being held on February 18 and 19, 2026 at AIIMS, New Delhi. Coordinated by the French Embassy, the programme included a dedicated session titled Indo French Forum AI in Brain Health and Global Healthcare. The forum brought together scientists, clinicians, policymakers and academic leaders from both nations to deliberate on collaborative pathways in artificial intelligence and global health systems.
The Centre has been established pursuant to a Joint Memorandum of Understanding signed between AIIMS New Delhi, Sorbonne University and the 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 healthcare delivery systems.
The initiative builds upon ongoing cooperation between India and France in priority areas including digital health, antimicrobial resistance, human resources for health and the responsible use of health data. Joint efforts by research bodies and digital health institutions are expected to enhance scientific discovery, strengthen evidence based policymaking and promote mobility partnerships among students, faculty and researchers.
During RUSH 2026, a special 30 minute interaction titled RUSH Conversation on Artificial Intelligence featured Emmanuel Macron in dialogue with two young Indian innovators, Priyanka Das Rajkakati and Manan Suri. The session, moderated by Clara Chappaz, French Ambassador for AI and Digital, highlighted youth driven innovation, cross border collaboration and the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in shaping inclusive and sustainable global futures.
The programme also featured a segment on Major Scientific and Academic Cooperation Highlights between France and India at the Jawaharlal Auditorium. Moderated by Vijay Raghavan and Thierry Coulhon, Chairmen of RUSH, the session outlined key milestones and future avenues in higher education, research and innovation partnerships between the two countries.
In his address, Emmanuel Macron underscored the need for sovereign artificial intelligence capacity. He emphasized that India and France must develop their own computing capacity and talent to build trusted AI systems rather than relying exclusively on technologies created and managed elsewhere. He highlighted the transformative role of ethical AI in healthcare, productivity and scientific discovery, while calling for safeguards to protect children, greater transparency in algorithms to mitigate bias and democratic risks, and preservation of linguistic diversity in AI systems.
Emmanuel Macron stated that India and France are committed to developing the computing capacity and talent necessary to build trusted AI systems and that artificial intelligence must serve humanity with strong protections, transparency and respect for cultural diversity.
Following the formal launch, Emmanuel Macron undertook a ceremonial walk to inaugurate the International Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Global Health, interacting with students and encouraging young researchers to pursue innovation driven healthcare solutions. J P Nadda remained present throughout the programme and reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in AI enabled global health.
The Government of India reiterated its resolve to deepen healthcare cooperation with France by leveraging innovation, democratic values and collective expertise to build resilient health systems and improve health outcomes in India and globally.
