Ashley J Tellis, a prominent foreign policy expert and defence analyst of Indian origin, has been arrested in the United States for allegedly possessing and retaining classified national defence materials without authorisation.

According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, the 64-year-old scholar was charged under 18 USC § 793(e) — a statute that prohibits the unlawful retention of defence-related information. Tellis was taken into custody over the weekend after an extensive federal probe into his handling of restricted documents.

Prosecutors claim that Tellis, who currently serves as the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, unlawfully removed confidential government files from secure premises. Authorities are also investigating his alleged meetings with Chinese officials during professional engagements.

US Attorney Lindsey Halligan described the alleged actions as posing “a serious threat to national security and public safety.” If found guilty, Tellis could face up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and forfeiture of all seized materials. The Justice Department emphasised that these are only allegations, and Tellis remains presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

Who is Ashley J Tellis?

Tellis is a highly respected name in strategic and security studies, best known for his expertise on South Asia and US-India relations. He has previously served in key roles within the US government — including as Special Assistant to President George W. Bush and Senior Director for Strategic Planning and Southwest Asia at the National Security Council.

He was also a Senior Adviser to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, where he was instrumental in the landmark US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement.

Before entering public service, Tellis worked at the RAND Corporation as a policy analyst and professor. His notable publications include Striking Asymmetries: Nuclear Transitions in Southern Asia and Revising US Grand Strategy Toward China.

He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and is widely regarded as one of Washington’s most influential voices on defence and diplomacy.

Investigation Underway

According to US media, the investigation is also reviewing Tellis’s interactions with Chinese counterparts during academic and professional meetings. While prosecutors have not alleged espionage, they contend that his handling of classified material breached federal security protocols.

A federal court hearing will determine whether Tellis will be released on bond later this week.