Sir Mark Tully Dies at 90

Veteran British broadcaster and former BBC India bureau chief passes away in New Delhi after brief illness

January 25, 2026: Sir Mark Tully, the renowned British journalist and former BBC bureau chief in New Delhi, died on Sunday at the age of 90 at a private hospital in the national capital. A trusted and familiar voice across South Asia for decades, Tully had been unwell for some time and was admitted to Max Hospital in Saket, where he passed away, a close friend confirmed.

Born William Mark Tully in Calcutta (now Kolkata) on October 24, 1935, he joined the BBC in the 1960s and went on to spend over two decades as its India correspondent and bureau chief. During his distinguished career, Tully reported on some of the most defining moments in the region’s modern history, including Operation Blue Star, the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the violence that followed, earning respect for his calm, balanced and insightful journalism.

Knighted in 2002 and awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2005, Tully was also an acclaimed author whose books such as No Full Stops in India, India in Slow Motion and The Heart of India reflected his deep understanding of the country. Remembered for his integrity, cultural sensitivity and measured commentary, Sir Mark Tully leaves behind a legacy that shaped broadcast journalism and strengthened cross-cultural understanding in South Asia.