Meta’s India and Southeast Asia VP Sandhya Devanathan resigns after decade-long tenure

Departure and role at Meta

Sandhya Devanathan has stepped down as Meta’s vice president for India and Southeast Asia, a role she held since January 2023, according to Inc42. She joined Facebook (now Meta) in 2016 and previously led the company’s gaming vertical in the Asia-Pacific region, which she described as one of its five largest business segments.

In June 2025, Meta extended her responsibilities to cover Southeast Asia alongside India. Arun Srinivas, appointed as Meta’s India managing director around the same time, reported to her. Devanathan announced her exit in a LinkedIn post, calling it a “bittersweet decision” and mentioning plans for a short break before her next professional chapter, though she did not reveal details.

Regulatory context in India

Devanathan’s departure comes as Meta faces increased regulatory pressure in India, one of its largest markets. Earlier in August 2026, the Indian government reportedly sought technical changes to tackle child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, and unlabelled AI-generated content on Meta’s platforms, according to the source. The company has since begun addressing these concerns through multiple discussions with authorities.

Affiliations beyond Meta

Beyond her role at Meta, Devanathan served as a founding board member of Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Ltd, a joint venture between Meta and Reliance focused on enterprise AI, since February 2026. She was also a board observer at Jio Platforms and an advisory board member at the College of Integrative Studies at Singapore Management University. Inc42 reports it is unclear whether she will retain these positions following her exit.

Industry parallels

Devanathan’s resignation follows recent leadership changes at Meta, including CRED founder Kunal Shah taking over as WhatsApp’s global head while stepping back from day-to-day operations at the fintech unicorn. Meta also invested $900 million in CRED through a mix of primary and secondary transactions, signaling ongoing strategic shifts within the company.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

Sandhya Devanathan’s departure from Meta removes a leader who bridged India and Southeast Asia under one P&L, signaling two possible shifts for founders and operators in the region.

First, her exit may prompt Meta to reconsider how it structures its regional leadership—whether to keep India and Southeast Asia combined or split them again. For startups and enterprises negotiating ad contracts, partnerships, or policy compliance, a leadership change can mean a temporary pause in decision-making or a reset in relationships. Founders who relied on Devanathan’s team for platform policies, especially around gaming, e-commerce, or AI integrations, may need to re-establish contacts with new leadership.

Second, her move follows a pattern of senior executives at global tech firms either stepping away or pivoting to advisory roles amid regulatory pressure. Meta’s compliance with India’s recent demands on content moderation and AI labeling suggests that the next leader will inherit a more scrutinized operating environment. Founders building on Meta’s platforms—whether through WhatsApp business APIs, Reels monetization, or enterprise AI tools—should expect policy enforcement to remain stringent, regardless of leadership changes.

Finally, her board roles at Reliance Enterprise Intelligence and Jio Platforms hint at Meta’s strategic ties with Reliance, which could continue independently. Startups in enterprise AI or Jio’s ecosystem should watch whether Meta deepens these partnerships or recalibrates its approach under new leadership.

Key takeaways

• Meta’s combined India-Southeast Asia leadership may restructure, affecting how founders negotiate ad deals, partnerships, or policy compliance in the region.
• Regulatory scrutiny of Meta’s platforms in India, including recent demands on content moderation and AI labeling, will persist regardless of leadership changes.
• Devanathan’s board roles at Reliance Enterprise Intelligence and Jio Platforms signal Meta’s strategic ties with Reliance; founders in enterprise AI or Jio’s ecosystem should monitor continuity.
• Her exit follows recent senior executive moves at Meta (e.g., CRED’s Kunal Shah joining WhatsApp) and may indicate internal shifts in how the company balances global and regional priorities.