US Arrests Indian-Origin Advisor Ashley Tellis Over Secret Documents Case

US Arrests Indian-Origin Advisor Ashley Tellis Over Secret Documents Case

Indian-origin foreign policy advisor Ashley J. Tellis has been arrested in the United States for keeping secret papers and meeting Chinese officials without permission. The arrest has shocked many in Washington and in India.

Tellis, aged 64, was taken into custody in Virginia on October 13. He is accused of keeping more than 1,000 pages of classified defense documents at his home in Vienna, Virginia. These documents were found during a court-approved search by FBI agents. Some were marked “Top Secret” and “Secret.”

Discovery of Secret Papers and Alleged Meetings

Investigators said the papers were found in filing cabinets, on desks, and even inside garbage bags in his basement office. According to an FBI report, Tellis had been printing and taking away secret files from government offices. One file was about the US Air Force plans. He reportedly renamed it “Econ Reform,” printed parts of it, and deleted the digital copy afterward.

Cameras inside government buildings showed Tellis putting secret papers inside notepads and hiding them in a leather briefcase. Another video showed him meeting Chinese officials several times at restaurants in Virginia between 2022 and 2025. In one such meeting, he entered with a manila envelope that was missing when he left. They were also heard talking about topics like US–Pakistan and China–Iran relations.

Background and impact on India-US relations

Tellis has worked with the US State Department and the Pentagon for over 20 years. He was known for his strong role in improving India-US relations, especially during the civil nuclear deal in the mid-2000s. He also worked as a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and was respected for his deep understanding of South Asian affairs.

The US Attorney’s Office called the case a serious threat to national security. If found guilty, Tellis could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The State Department has confirmed his arrest but has not shared more details yet.

The arrest has surprised many foreign policy experts. Tellis was seen as one of the top voices on India and US strategy. His case is now under investigation, and authorities are trying to find out if he shared any secret papers with foreign contacts.

This case has also raised new questions about how the US handles secret information and who gets access to it. For India, the arrest of a well-known Indian-origin advisor adds an unexpected twist to the story of trust and ties between both nations.