Ashley J. Tellis: Indian-Origin Defense Strategist Charged with Unlawful Retention of Classified Information

Ashley J Tellis, a distinguished foreign policy scholar and defence strategist of Indian origin, has been arrested and charged with unlawfully retaining classified national defence information, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Tellis, 64, who serves as a senior fellow and holds the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, was taken into custody over the weekend following a federal investigation concerning his handling of restricted government material. Prosecutors allege that Tellis violated 18 USC § 793(e), which prohibits the unauthorised possession or retention of defence-related documents.

Investigators are also examining allegations that Tellis removed classified documents from secure facilities and engaged in meetings with Chinese officials.

US Attorney Lindsey Halligan announced the charges through a press release, stating that the alleged conduct represented "a grave risk to the safety and security of our citizens."

If convicted, Tellis could face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and forfeiture of the materials in question. The government has emphasized that the complaint constitutes an accusation, and that Tellis remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.

As a distinguished academic and policy expert, Tellis is widely recognized as one of Washington's foremost authorities on South Asian security and US-India relations. He has held several influential positions within the US government, including serving as senior adviser to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, where he played an instrumental role in negotiating the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement.

Tellis also served on the National Security Council as special assistant to President George W. Bush and senior director for strategic planning and Southwest Asia.

Prior to his government service, Tellis worked as a senior policy analyst and professor at the RAND Corporation. His extensive scholarly contributions include books such as "Striking Asymmetries: Nuclear Transitions in Southern Asia" and "Revising US Grand Strategy Toward China." He maintains membership in the Council on Foreign Relations and the International Institute for Strategic Studies, among other prestigious professional organizations.

According to reports in US media, investigators are also reviewing Tellis's alleged interactions with Chinese officials during professional and academic exchanges. While there are no indications of espionage at this stage, prosecutors maintain that his retention of classified materials violated federal security protocols.

A federal judge will determine bond conditions later this week as the legal proceedings continue.