India-born strategic expert Ashley Tellis rejects charges after arrest for possessing secret documents

Ashley J. Tellis, a prominent US scholar of Indian origin and a well-known expert on US-India relations, has denied all charges following his arrest earlier this week for allegedly retaining classified government documents and meeting with Chinese officials.

Tellis, a naturalised American citizen born in Mumbai, was taken into custody on Saturday and formally charged on Monday. A former senior adviser under President George W. Bush, Tellis now faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

In a statement, his legal team said, “Ashley J. Tellis is a highly respected scholar and policy advisor. We will vigorously contest these allegations, particularly any suggestion that he acted on behalf of a foreign government.”

Allegations and Investigation

According to court filings made public on Tuesday, Tellis allegedly entered the US State Department’s premises late on September 25 and printed documents containing classified information related to US Air Force operations. The affidavit also claims he held multiple meetings with Chinese officials at a Virginia restaurant, including one incident where he reportedly left behind a manila envelope.

Prosecutors further allege that in April 2023, Tellis met Chinese representatives in Washington, D.C., where they discussed issues like Iran-China relations and artificial intelligence. During another meeting on September 2, he allegedly received a “gift bag” from the officials.

While the Justice Department’s case focuses primarily on mishandling of classified materials, the meetings with Chinese officials have added a layer of concern.

An FBI search of Tellis’s Virginia residence reportedly uncovered over 1,000 pages of top-secret and secret documents stored across various locations — filing cabinets, desks, and even trash bags. Investigators said Tellis fully cooperated during the search, unlocking his laptop and providing access to the files.

US Attorney Lindsey Halligan called the case “a serious breach,” emphasizing that “protecting classified information is essential to national security.”

Career and Legacy

Tellis, 64, is regarded as one of Washington’s foremost strategic thinkers on India and Asia. After graduating from St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, he earned a PhD in Political Science from the University of Chicago. He served as a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, which has since placed him on administrative leave pending the investigation.

Tellis played a pivotal role in shaping the landmark US-India civil nuclear agreement during the Bush administration — a turning point in bilateral ties. Known for his deep understanding of South Asian geopolitics, he has often voiced independent and sometimes critical opinions of both Washington and New Delhi.

In a June essay for Foreign Affairs, he argued that India’s ambition for great-power status exceeds its current capabilities and warned that growing illiberalism in both the US and India could undermine the global democratic order.

The Justice Department has said the investigation is ongoing. If convicted, Tellis faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.