India and France on Tuesday formalised a new phase of cooperation in digital medicine with the launch of the Indo-French Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Health (IF-CAIH) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
The centre was inaugurated by Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda and French President Emmanuel Macron, underscoring the growing strategic alignment between the two countries in advanced technologies and healthcare innovation.
Conceived as a joint academic and research platform, the initiative brings together AIIMS Delhi, Sorbonne University and the Paris Brain Institute, with participation from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and other institutions. The collaboration aims to integrate artificial intelligence tools into clinical practice, biomedical research and health system management.
Officials said the centre will prioritise work in areas such as neurological disorders, advanced imaging, data-driven diagnostics and predictive healthcare models. It will also facilitate joint PhD programmes, researcher exchanges and technology development initiatives.
Addressing the gathering, President Macron highlighted the importance of building trusted and sovereign AI capabilities rooted in shared democratic values. He noted that cooperation in health technology reflects a broader ambition by India and France to shape global standards in ethical AI and responsible data use.
Nadda said the initiative complements India’s digital health mission and strengthens international research partnerships. He emphasised that AI-powered solutions can help improve accessibility, affordability and quality of care across diverse populations.
The launch of IF-CAIH is part of the expanding India–France strategic partnership, which spans defence, space exploration, education, climate action and emerging technologies. With the new centre, both nations aim to position themselves at the forefront of AI-enabled healthcare innovation while promoting collaborative scientific progress.