Washington DC, October 15, 2025 — In a dramatic development that has sent shockwaves through Washington’s foreign policy and intelligence circles, Ashley J. Tellis, a prominent Indian-origin US foreign policy advisor, was arrested on charges of unlawfully retaining classified national defense documents and allegedly meeting with Chinese officials over several years. The 64-year-old, who played a pivotal role in shaping US-India relations, now finds himself at the center of a serious federal investigation involving espionage concerns and breach of national security.

Tellis, a naturalized American citizen born in India, has long been regarded as one of the most respected voices in US strategic policy, particularly on South Asia and India-US defense cooperation. His arrest on October 13 in Virginia followed a meticulous federal probe that culminated in a court-authorized search of his home in Vienna, Virginia, two days earlier. Investigators discovered more than 1,000 pages of classified materials, many marked “Top Secret” or “Secret,” stashed in various parts of his residence.

According to the federal affidavit filed in the case, the classified materials were found in locked filing cabinets inside Tellis’s basement office, on his desk, and even inside three large black plastic garbage bags stored in an unfinished room. The documents reportedly contained sensitive information relating to US national defense, including operational tactics, intelligence assessments, and foreign policy communications.

Federal authorities said the documents were discovered during a comprehensive search conducted by the FBI and Defense Department investigators. The court filings revealed that the case began after internal monitoring systems flagged Tellis for unusual printing and data access patterns inside the State Department’s secure computer systems.

Tellis, who holds Top Secret security clearance and access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), was captured on surveillance video at the Harry S Truman Building — the State Department headquarters — on September 25, 2025. He was seen accessing classified files and printing several hundred pages of restricted material. Among the printed items was a 1,288-page file detailing US Air Force tactics, which Tellis allegedly renamed as “Econ Reform” before printing and later deleting from the secure database.

The FBI affidavit also cites surveillance footage from October 10, showing Tellis inside a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) at the Mark Center in Alexandria, Virginia. The footage allegedly shows him concealing documents, including those marked “Top Secret,” inside notepads, placing them into a leather briefcase, and leaving the facility without authorization.

Prosecutors say the discovery of the secret documents and Tellis’s unusual conduct have raised grave concerns about potential security breaches. His long-standing connections within the US government and defense community have added further sensitivity to the case.

Until his arrest, Tellis served as an unpaid senior adviser at the US State Department and as a contractor for the Office of Net Assessment within the Department of Defense, a unit known for conducting long-term strategic analyses. He was also a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, one of the world’s most respected foreign policy think tanks. His extensive background and insider access made him a fixture in Washington’s strategic and diplomatic networks for over two decades.

Tellis’s contributions to the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement during the mid-2000s under the George W. Bush administration cemented his reputation as a leading voice on South Asian affairs. He was widely credited with shaping American engagement with India on defense, trade, and strategic cooperation. That record of service makes his arrest all the more startling — and politically charged.

However, the case against Tellis extends beyond the illegal retention of classified materials. The federal affidavit also includes allegations that he met with Chinese government officials on multiple occasions between September 2022 and September 2025 at restaurants in Fairfax, Virginia.

During one such dinner on September 15, 2022, investigators claim Tellis entered the restaurant carrying a manila envelope, which was no longer in his possession when he left. Surveillance teams monitoring the meeting also overheard conversations between Tellis and the Chinese officials, during which they reportedly discussed Iranian-Chinese relations, US-Pakistan dynamics, and other sensitive geopolitical matters.

The FBI affidavit suggests that these interactions have fueled concerns about whether Tellis may have been improperly sharing or discussing classified information. Authorities, however, have not yet made any formal espionage charges public. They are continuing to investigate whether the meetings with Chinese officials were part of an authorized diplomatic engagement or a breach of national security protocols.

On October 11, the same day federal agents executed the search warrant at his Virginia home, Tellis was reportedly preparing to fly to Rome with his family for a work-related trip. Authorities said his travel plans may have accelerated their decision to carry out the search earlier than initially scheduled. He was arrested two days later following the discovery of the classified materials.

Legal analysts in Washington describe the case as potentially one of the most consequential national security prosecutions involving a US foreign policy adviser in recent years. It bears similarities to previous high-profile cases involving the unauthorized retention of classified documents, including those of former government contractors and ex-intelligence officials. However, Tellis’s stature and his proximity to the formulation of US policy toward key global regions — including India, China, and the Indo-Pacific — make this case particularly sensitive.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that Tellis has been charged with violating federal laws governing the retention and handling of national defense information, a serious offense under the Espionage Act. If convicted, he could face a lengthy prison term. The DOJ has so far refrained from commenting on whether additional charges related to foreign contacts or espionage might follow.

Tellis’s arrest has also raised questions about internal oversight mechanisms within the US government. Despite being a seasoned advisor, he continued to have access to top-secret systems even as a part-time, unpaid consultant. Critics argue that this case exposes the vulnerabilities in Washington’s clearance and monitoring procedures, especially for long-serving policy advisors who straddle government and think-tank roles.

Meanwhile, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace has placed Tellis on administrative leave pending further developments. In a brief statement, the organization said it was “shocked and deeply concerned” by the allegations and emphasized that it had no involvement in any classified activities.

The State Department has not issued an official comment on Tellis’s arrest, but sources familiar with the matter said that his security credentials have been immediately revoked. The Department of Defense has also launched an internal review of its contractor vetting procedures to determine how Tellis managed to retain classified material despite no longer being a full-time government employee.

As of now, Tellis remains in federal custody awaiting his first court appearance in the Eastern District of Virginia, a jurisdiction known for handling national security cases with high confidentiality and speed. Prosecutors are expected to argue that his actions posed a potential threat to US national interests, given the volume and sensitivity of the documents found in his possession.

The case continues to unfold, with investigators examining Tellis’s communications, travel records, and digital footprints to determine whether classified information may have been shared or compromised. For Washington, a city where access to classified information is often both power and privilege, the Tellis case serves as a stark reminder of how thin the line can be between trust and betrayal.

If proven true, the allegations against Ashley Tellis — a man once celebrated for strengthening America’s strategic ties with India — could mark one of the most stunning downfalls in the modern history of US diplomacy and national security.

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