Ashley Tellis, a former presidential advisor of Indian origin in the US, has been arrested on charges of alleged ties to China and possession of classified documents. The FBI recovered hundreds of classified documents related to national defense from his home.
Ashley Tellis Arrested: Ashley Tellis, an Indian-origin national security expert and South Asia policy advisor in the US (Ashley Tellis), has been arrested on charges of alleged ties to China and possessing classified documents (classified documents). Tellis, 64, an American citizen, previously served as a special assistant to former President George W. Bush. On Saturday, the FBI (FBI) raided his residence in Vienna, Virginia, recovering over 1,000 pages of classified documents.
FBI Raid
The FBI investigation revealed that Tellis had several classified documents related to national defense (national defense) in his possession. During the raid, top secret (top secret) category documents were found in his office filing cabinet, desk, and three large black bags. Investigators state that these documents contain sensitive information ranging from US Air Force (US Air Force) strategies to policies related to South Asia.
Tellis's Activities Captured on Video
According to the FBI, on September 25, Tellis was seen printing hundreds of documents from a classified computer system at the State Department's Harry S. Truman Building. Surveillance video showed that he saved a 1288-page file related to ‘US Air Force Tactics’ under the name ‘Econ Reform’ and after printing a few pages, deleted the entire file.
Attempt to Conceal Classified Information
On October 10, another surveillance video showed Tellis concealing top-secret documents in a notepad and placing them in his leather briefcase at a secure facility located at the Mark Center (Alexandria, Virginia). He then exited the facility. The FBI claims that this action was a deliberate attempt to remove classified information, posing a serious threat to US national security (national security).
Meetings with Chinese Officials Heightened Suspicion
According to the FBI report, between September 2022 and September 2025, Tellis met with Chinese government officials multiple times in Virginia. In a September 15, 2022, meeting, he arrived at a restaurant with an envelope, which he no longer possessed after the meeting. Furthermore, in a September 2025 meeting, he was given a red gift bag by Chinese officials. Investigating agencies believe that sensitive information may have been shared during these meetings.
Tellis's Career
Ashley Tellis was born in Mumbai, India. He completed his graduation and post-graduation from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai University. He then pursued a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Chicago. Tellis has been associated with the US Department of State (US Department of State) as an advisor since 2001 and was one of the key negotiators for the US-India civil nuclear deal (civil nuclear deal).
Tellis was currently working at the “Office of Net Assessment” of the US Department of Defense (US Department of Defense) and as a Senior Fellow at the think tank “Carnegie Endowment for International Peace”. Additionally, he has also served as a senior director on the National Security Council (National Security Council) at the White House (White House).
