Vineeta Deepak to lead AP's coverage of South Asia region

The Associated Press on Wednesday named Vineeta Deepak, an experienced video journalist and bedrock member of its Indian staff, as its South Asia news director to lead coverage of a region stretching from the heights of the Himalayas to the tropics of the Indian Ocean.

From her base in New Delhi, she will drive AP's multiformat reporting on the world's largest democracy as it exerts its influence abroad while grappling with rising nationalism and growing inequality despite an economic boom at home.

She will lead a large team of videojournalists, photographers and reporters stationed across India and in AP bureaus in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. She will also oversee AP's coverage of Bhutan and the atoll archipelago of the Maldives.

"Vineeta has covered the biggest stories in South Asia for more than two decades, and knows the region inside and out," said Asia-Pacific News Director Adam Schreck. "She is an ambitious journalist who knows how to connect with people and tell stories in fresh, creative ways."