Pranshu Verma, a respected journalist and the New Delhi bureau chief of The Washington Post, has been laid off as part of one of the largest newsroom cuts in the publication’s history. The layoffs, announced in early February 2026, affected more than 300 editors and reporters, representing nearly one-third of the newspaper’s editorial staff and marking a major shift in the outlet’s global coverage strategy.
Verma had been leading The Washington Post’s bureau in India, a key role in covering South Asia for one of the United States’ most influential newspapers. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he confirmed the news of his layoff, expressing sadness for his colleagues and gratitude for his time with the organization. He wrote, “Heartbroken to share I’ve been laid off from The Washington Post. Gutted for so many of my talented friends who are also gone. It was a privilege to work here the past four years. Serving as the paper’s New Delhi bureau chief was an honor.”
Before taking charge as bureau chief, Verma had covered a wide range of topics at The Washington Post, including international affairs and developments across India and neighboring countries. His work contributed to the newspaper’s reporting on India’s political landscape, foreign relations, and significant global events.
The decision to lay off Verma and several other senior journalists comes amid a sweeping restructuring at The Washington Post, driven by financial pressures and changing strategies in the media industry. International reporting teams, including bureaus in Delhi, the Middle East, and other regions, were significantly affected as part of the cuts.
Verma’s departure highlights the broader challenges facing major global newsrooms as they adapt to evolving business models and audience habits—changes that have sometimes resulted in dramatic reductions in foreign news coverage at institutions that have long prioritized on-the-ground journalism.
