Indian-origin US strategist Ashley Tellis charged with mishandling classified defence documents

Mumbai-born American foreign policy expert Ashley Tellis, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, was arrested on 14 October for allegedly retaining and disclosing classified national defence information, according to charges filed in the US District Court for Eastern Virginia. The 62-year-old strategist, renowned for his work on India-US relations and Asia-Pacific security, faces three counts under the Espionage Act, each carrying up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Authorities in the United States allege Tellis improperly stored sensitive documents at his Virginia home and shared them with unauthorised individuals, including a foreign national, though no espionage charges were filed. 

The arrest, executed by the FBI, has stunned diplomatic circles, with speculation over links to his advisory roles for the US government and think tanks. Tellis appeared in court on 15 October, released on $100,000 bond with travel restrictions, as investigations continue into potential China ties raised by US intelligence sources.

Arrest and charges

Tellis was detained at his Fairfax, Virginia, residence on 14 October following an FBI raid that uncovered classified documents related to US defence strategies in the Indo-Pacific. The complaint, unsealed in federal court, accuses him of wilfully retaining national defence information from 2018 to 2023, including materials on nuclear deterrence and regional alliances.

Prosecutors claim Tellis disclosed the information to a foreign national during a 2022 meeting, though the nationality was not specified in public filings. The FBI affidavit details how agents found the documents in unsecured locations, including his home office, during a search warrant executed in June 2025.

Tellis, who holds a Top Secret clearance from his advisory work, pleaded not guilty at his initial appearance, with his lawyer arguing the documents were "inadvertently retained" for research purposes.

The court imposed conditions, including the surrender of his passport and no contact with potential witnesses. US Attorney Jessica Aber stated, "The protection of sensitive national defence information is paramount, and this case underscores our commitment to holding accountable those who compromise it."

Ashley Tellis, who?

Born in Mumbai in 1962, Tellis emigrated to the US in his youth and became a naturalised citizen, earning a PhD in political science from the University of Chicago. He served as a senior adviser at the US State Department from 2001 to 2005, focusing on South Asia, and later as a special assistant to President George W Bush on the US-India nuclear deal. At Carnegie since 2008, Tellis has authored key reports on India's military modernisation and US-India strategic partnership, often briefing Congress and the White House.

Tellis has been a frequent visitor to Delhi, advising on bilateral ties and contributing to think tanks like the Observer Research Foundation. In 2019, Tellis co-authored a RAND report on Indo-Pacific security, warning of China's growing influence. His arrest has shocked Indian diplomatic circles, with former ambassador Meera Shankar stating: "Tellis has been a bridge-builder; this is deeply concerning."

Allegations of China ties and intelligence scrutiny

US officials have not formally charged Tellis with espionage, but sources close to the investigation suggest scrutiny over his interactions with Chinese academics and officials during conferences. A career CIA officer said, "The pattern of document retention and disclosures points to potential foreign influence, possibly China, given his expertise on Asia."

The affidavit mentions a 2021 email where Tellis allegedly shared a classified memo with a "foreign contact" linked to Beijing.

Tellis's lawyer dismissed the claims as "baseless," stating: "Dr Tellis is a patriot who has served the US faithfully; this is a misunderstanding." The case echoes recent arrests like that of Pentagon official Gregg Bergersen in 2008 for China spying.

Reactions from diplomatic and policy circles

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: "We are monitoring the situation, but it's an internal US matter."

Former US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster expressed surprise: "Ashley has been a key voice on US-India relations; hoping for a quick resolution." Carnegie Endowment placed Tellis on administrative leave, stating: "We are cooperating with authorities."

In Delhi, ORF president Samir Saran noted: "Tellis's contributions to Indo-US ties are immense; this is unsettling." US think tanks have paused collaborations, with one analyst anonymously stating, "His access to sensitive info makes this serious."

Implications for US-India relations

The arrest could strain bilateral ties, given Tellis's role in shaping US policy on India, including the Quad and nuclear deal. With the Donald Trump administration pushing Indo-Pacific alliances, the case raises questions about trust in shared intelligence.