US Arrest of Diplomat Ashley Tellis Over Classified Files Triggers Political Row in India

The arrest of Ashley J. Tellis, an Indian-American diplomat and former US national security adviser, has sparked intense political debate in India, as new details emerge about his alleged mishandling of classified US defence documents and his reported meetings with Chinese officials.

According to the FBI, Tellis, 64, was charged with unlawfully retaining over 1,000 pages of classified materials, including top-secret and secret defence documents, at his residence in Virginia. Investigators found files stored in filing cabinets, leather bags, and even trash containers, dating back to his tenure at the US State Department and the National Security Council. Tellis allegedly removed these materials from secure government facilities and failed to return them after leaving his advisory post.

The affidavit further revealed that Tellis had held several meetings with Chinese diplomats in recent years, including one in September 2025, where he was reportedly seen carrying a manila envelope. While the US authorities have not accused him of espionage or passing information to foreign agents, the circumstances have led to growing speculation about potential security breaches and diplomatic risks.

Tellis, a respected strategic affairs scholar, has long been considered one of the key architects of modern US–India relations, particularly in defence and foreign policy cooperation. His arrest, therefore, has reverberated across New Delhi’s political circles.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seized upon the news to criticize opposition figures and foreign policy commentators who had previously cited Tellis as an authority on Indo–US relations. BJP spokespersons described him as a representative of “anti-India elements” and accused certain opposition leaders of promoting his views to undermine national interests.

Opposition leaders and policy analysts, however, urged restraint, warning against politicizing the case. They noted that Tellis had served under multiple US administrations, both Republican and Democrat, and had frequently expressed views that were not hostile to India. Some argued that the case may have been exaggerated in India’s domestic political context to stoke nationalist sentiment.

Meanwhile, legal experts in Washington say Tellis could face charges under the Espionage Act, which carries severe penalties if proven. The State Department has declined to comment, citing an ongoing investigation.

The case has ignited debate on transparency and trust in international strategic communities, especially between India and the United States, as both nations navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical environment involving China.