Arrested Indian-origin US policy expert Ashley Tellis denies charges over classified documents

Washington, D.C.: Ashley Tellis, a prominent Indian-origin foreign policy expert and long-time US government adviser, has denied charges of unlawfully retaining classified documents, following his arrest by federal authorities.

Tellis, 64, widely respected for his role in shaping US-India relations, particularly the landmark civil nuclear agreement under President George W Bush, was charged after a search of his home in Vienna, Virginia, reportedly uncovered over 1,000 pages of secret and top-secret materials stored improperly in his basement.

In a statement released by his legal team, Tellis firmly rejected any wrongdoing.

“Ashley J Tellis is a widely respected scholar and senior policy advisor,” said lawyers Deborah Curtis and John Nassikas. “We will be vigorously contesting the allegations brought against him, specifically any insinuation of his operating on behalf of a foreign adversary.”

While the Justice Department’s case focuses on the mishandling of sensitive documents, a criminal affidavit also notes Tellis’s repeated meetings with Chinese officials in Fairfax, Virginia. At one dinner, he was allegedly seen leaving behind a manila envelope — though no espionage charges have been filed.

Surveillance footage cited in court documents shows Tellis leaving State Department buildings with a briefcase believed to contain classified printouts, including from a document related to US Air Force operations. He reportedly accessed the department as recently as 25 September.

Tellis has since been placed on administrative leave by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where he has served as a senior fellow. The think tank declined to comment further pending legal proceedings.

Originally from India and a naturalised US citizen, Tellis has held influential positions in the Pentagon and State Department, often acting as an unofficial bridge between Washington and New Delhi. In recent years, he became a critical voice on India policy, warning that US and Indian interests were not always aligned — particularly on global flashpoints like the war in Ukraine.

If convicted, Tellis could face up to 10 years in prison. The case continues to attract wide attention due to his stature in diplomatic and academic circles.