Ashley Tellis, a prominent US defense expert with a focus on India and South Asia, has been charged with unlawfully retaining classified national defense information and engaging in unauthorized interactions with Chinese officials. A federal affidavit details allegations against Tellis, including the removal of top-secret documents from secure government facilities, unauthorized printing of sensitive military materials, and multiple meetings with Chinese representatives where sensitive topics were reportedly discussed. Tellis, who has served as a senior adviser at the State Department and held a fellowship at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, faces serious implications for his actions, which may jeopardize US national security. The Justice Department is scrutinizing whether Tellis shared classified information with foreign entities, raising concerns about internal security protocols within US defense structures. This case underscores the critical need for robust oversight of personnel with access to sensitive data, particularly those with dual affiliations, amidst growing geopolitical tensions in the region. The unfolding situation could have significant ramifications for US-India relations and the integrity of national security practices.