Indian-American Defense Expert Ashley Tellis Arrested in US Over Classified Documents

A prominent US policy expert of Indian origin, Ashley Tellis, has been arrested for allegedly hoarding classified documents and meeting with Chinese government officials, according to court filings unsealed this week.

The Justice Department said Tellis, 64, unlawfully retained national defense information, including over a thousand pages of top secret and secret documents discovered at his Vienna, Virginia, home.

Tellis, a veteran adviser on US-India relations who has served under multiple administrations, was arrested over the weekend and formally charged on Monday. He has worked on the National Security Council under President George W. Bush and is listed in FBI filings as an unpaid State Department adviser and a contractor with the Pentagon’s Office of Net Assessment. He is also a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Background

Born in Mumbai, Tellis studied at St. Xavier’s College and earned an MA and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Chicago. Since joining the US government in 2001, he has advised both Republican and Democratic administrations on South Asia policy, becoming a recognized voice in Washington, New Delhi, and Beijing.

Alleged Breach of Security

Court documents allege that Tellis accessed, printed, and removed classified materials from Defense and State Department offices in September and October 2025. Surveillance reportedly captured him leaving one facility with a leather briefcase containing documents on US military aircraft capabilities.

A search of his home on October 11 uncovered secret documents stored in locked cabinets, desks, and even black trash bags. Tellis reportedly cooperated with investigators, providing passwords and unlocking his laptop. He held a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information.

Meetings With Chinese Officials

The case has gained attention because Tellis allegedly met multiple times with Chinese officials over the years. According to FBI filings:

On September 15, 2025, Tellis met Chinese officials at a Fairfax, Virginia restaurant, reportedly leaving with a manila envelope.

In April 2023, in the Washington, DC suburbs, discussions reportedly included Iranian-Chinese relations and emerging technologies like AI.

On September 2, he allegedly received a gift bag from Chinese officials.

US Attorney Lindsey Halligan stated:

“We are fully focused on protecting the American people from all threats, foreign and domestic. The charges as alleged in this case represent a grave risk to the safety and security of our citizens.”

If convicted, Tellis faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Views on India

Tellis has written extensively on South Asia, including a June 2025 essay in Foreign Affairs titled “India’s Great Power Delusions.” He argued that India’s aspirations for a multipolar world may outpace its capabilities, citing economic and political challenges. He warned that continued illiberal trends in both India and the US could undermine the post-war international order that has historically benefited both nations.