Wed Oct 15 14:14:12 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Ashley Tellis, a US government advisor and expert on India-US relations, has been arrested and charged with unlawfully retaining national defense information and allegedly meeting with Chinese officials. Prosecutors allege he violated 18 US Code § 793 and was observed taking classified documents from a DoD facility. Classified documents were later found at his residence. The affidavit alleges that Tellis met with Chinese officials on several occasions and discussed sensitive topics. If convicted, Tellis could face up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

**News Article:**

**US-India Relations Expert Arrested on Espionage Charges**

**Vienna, VA -** Ashley Tellis, a prominent expert on US-India relations and a long-time advisor to the US government, was arrested over the weekend on charges of unlawfully retaining national defense information and allegedly meeting with Chinese officials. The US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced the arrest on Tuesday.

Tellis, 64, a naturalized US citizen born in India, made his initial court appearance on Tuesday. A detention hearing is scheduled for October 21.

According to an affidavit filed in court, Tellis, who currently works as an unpaid senior advisor for the US Department of State and a contractor for the Department of Defense’s Office of Net Assessment, was observed on surveillance video removing classified documents from a DoD facility on multiple occasions. A subsequent search of his residence allegedly uncovered classified government documents.

Prosecutors claim Tellis violated 18 US Code § 793, which pertains to gathering, transmitting, or losing defense information.

The affidavit also alleges that Tellis met with Chinese officials on several occasions, discussing topics such as Iranian-Chinese relations, emerging technologies, and US-Pakistan relations. On one occasion, he was observed entering a restaurant with a manila envelope and leaving without it after meeting with the officials.

“We are fully focused on protecting the American people from all threats, foreign and domestic. The charges as alleged in this case represent a grave risk to the safety and security of our citizens,” said US District Attorney Lindsey Halligan.

Tellis has a long and distinguished career, having served on the National Security Council under President George W. Bush and playing a key role in negotiating a landmark civil nuclear deal between the US and India.

If convicted, Tellis could face a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.

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