Indian-American Defense Strategist Ashley Tellis Arrested by FBI, Accused of Spying for China

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): The FBI has arrested Indian-origin U.S. defense strategist Ashley J. Tellis on charges of possessing classified documents and allegedly meeting with Chinese officials. Tellis is widely regarded as one of Washington’s leading experts on South Asian security and U.S.-India relations. Prosecutors allege that he violated Section 793(e) of Title 18, U.S. Code, which prohibits the unauthorized possession or retention of defense-related documents.

According to court records, the 64-year-old Tellis unlawfully retained over 1,000 pages of classified national defense information at his residence in Vienna, Virginia. He had served under multiple U.S. administrations and was a senior policy strategist who joined the U.S. government in 2001. Over recent years, Tellis had been a prominent voice on U.S.-India-China strategic relations.

The arrest comes at a time when the Trump administration’s National Intelligence Director, Tulsi Gabbard, has taken a strict stance on the misuse of classified information. Investigators are probing allegations that Tellis removed confidential materials from secure facilities and held private meetings with Chinese officials.

U.S. Attorney Lindsay Halligan announced the charges in a press release, stating that the alleged conduct “poses a serious threat to the safety and security of our citizens.”

If convicted, Tellis faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and forfeiture of all related materials. The government emphasized that these remain allegations, and Tellis is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

According to the FBI, between September 2022 and September 2025, Tellis allegedly met Chinese officials multiple times at restaurants in Fairfax, Virginia. In one such meeting in September 2025, he is accused of presenting a red-colored bag as a gift to the Chinese representatives.