India and France have formally inaugurated a new collaborative research hub for artificial intelligence in healthcare at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.
The Indo-French Centre for AI in Health (IF-CAIH)was opened in the national capital during a high-level bilateral visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, in partnership with India’s Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, J.P. Nadda.
The initiative brings together leading research institutions from both countries under a joint Memorandum of Understanding. The centre has been established by AIIMS Delhi alongside Sorbonne University and the Paris Brain Institute in France, with academic engagement from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and other French partners. Its purpose is to advance interdisciplinary research, medical education, and clinical innovation through the application of artificial intelligence to complex health challenges.
Set up during the Rencontres Universitaires et Scientifiques de Haut Niveau (RUSH) 2026 forum — a series of academic and scientific meetings hosted at AIIMS — IF-CAIH aims to foster cooperation on a range of healthcare priorities. Experts from both nations convened in sessions focused on AI’s role in brain health, global healthcare systems, and responsible technological development.
The centre’s work is expected to encompass AI-driven diagnostics, enhanced clinical decision-making tools, and collaborative training programmes that connect researchers, clinicians, and students. It builds on existing partnerships between Indian and French scientific communities and symbolises a deeper commitment to shared innovation in health technology.
At the inaugural event, French President Macron highlighted the importance of developing sovereign AI capabilities in both countries and emphasised that such technologies should serve societal needs ethically, with built-in protections against bias and harm. He and Indian officials expressed mutual interest in strengthening research exchanges and building human capital through joint programmes and collaborative investments in science and education.
The launch takes place against the backdrop of an expanded India-France strategic partnership that includes cooperation in technology, education, and mobility, with broader aims to enhance cross-border research linkages and talent exchange.
