From Policy Expert to Spy: Ashley Tellis and India’s Web of Deception in America

The arrest of Ashley Tellis, a top expert on US-India relations, has shocked the American government. The charges that he illegally held top secret information are serious on their own. But when seen as part of the Modi government’s aggressive foreign policy, this is more than one man’s crime. It points to a pattern of Indian spying that threatens to break the trust between Washington and New Delhi, showing that India’s spy network in America may be bigger than anyone knew.

The Shocking Fall of a Washington Insider

For years, Ashley Tellis was a success story and a trusted government adviser. His arrest on October 11, 2025, has shattered that image, revealing him as a possible spy hiding in plain sight. This has stunned his colleagues and the US security system.

♦ The Arrest of a Key Policy Maker: Ashley Tellis, an American citizen of Indian origin, was arrested in Virginia. His high-level job gave him special access to American strategic plans.

♦ A Collection of Stolen State Secrets: A search of his home found many secret documents. This proved he was intentionally gathering sensitive government information.

A Calculated Campaign of Betrayal

The government’s evidence shows a person who regularly abused the trust placed in him. The charges are supported by video and court records that show a planned mission to steal secrets, raising questions about his true loyalty.

♦ Caught in the Act: Officials have video of Mr. Tellis printing and hiding secret materials from secure government offices, suggesting a routine spying operation.

♦ A Dangerous Double Game: Court records also show secret meetings between Tellis and Chinese officials from 2022 to 2025 where packages were exchanged, adding another layer of betrayal.

The Unseen Hand of the Indian Government

Intelligence experts believe Tellis would not take such big risks for personal reasons. The main suspicion is that he was a key spy for the Indian government, using his access to send secret information back to New Delhi.

♦ Duping America for Strategic Advantage: Tellis was a key person who helped pass the US-India nuclear deal. There is now a fear that this deal was influenced by a long-term Indian spy who had fooled the US system.

♦ A Systematic Intelligence Operation: The huge amount of stolen information, over a thousand pages, points to a state-run mission, not a personal collection. The documents were likely printed to be sent to India.

A Global Pattern of Indian Aggression

The Tellis case is not a one-time event. It comes as the Modi government has been accused of carrying out bold and illegal operations in other countries, showing disrespect for the laws of its Western partners.

♦ From Spying to Foreign Assassination Plots: Indian officials have recently been linked to a killing in Canada and failed murder plots in America. These acts show a disturbing pattern of aggression.

♦ A Reputation for Disregarding the Law: These actions are quickly ruining India’s image as a responsible nation. The world is becoming more suspicious of India, seeing its spying as a threat to global peace.

Using the Diaspora as a Tool for Spying

A worrying part of this case is the possible use of the Indian community by its government for secret goals. The success of people of Indian origin is now threatened by the suspicion that New Delhi is using them for spying.

♦ A Deep Crisis of Loyalty: The actions of a few individuals working for India risk making the whole community look suspicious, forcing a hard conversation about the Indian government’s influence.

♦ Abusing a Hard-Won Reputation: Ashley Tellis was clearly misusing the good reputation he had built. This betrayal hurts American security and the good name of the Indian-American community.

Economic Deception and Systemic Abuse

The trust problem extends to money matters. There have long been concerns in the US about the misuse of programs like the H-1B visa, which many say has been unfairly used by Indian companies.

♦ The Misuse of America’s Immigration System: Many from India have been accused of misusing the H-1B visa system to get jobs in the US, leading to criticism that the program is being abused.

♦ Causing Job Losses and Public Mistrust: This alleged misuse has been linked to job losses for Americans and has created economic problems, adding to a growing list of complaints.

India’s Damaged Reputation on the World Stage

For years, India presented itself as a democratic friend to the West. However, scandals from spying in Washington to murder plots in Canada are seriously damaging its international reputation.

♦ A Government of Deep Contradictions: India’s actions do not match its words. It asks for partnerships with Western nations while allegedly spying against them.

♦ Global Humiliation for Deceitful Actions: India is facing embarrassment as its lies are exposed. This pattern has led many to believe that the Indian state puts its own interests above any friendship or law.

A Security Threat Washington Can No Longer Ignore

These events present a clear and immediate danger to the United States. The idea that people within the Indian community could be used by a foreign power has become a major security risk that must be dealt with.

♦ A Continuous Source of National Risk: The involvement of Indian spies in illegal activities has made the Indian government’s presence in America a constant problem and a serious security concern.

♦ Time to Re-evaluate a Flawed Partnership: The Tellis case will force the US to rethink its relationship with India. Once trust is broken, it is hard to repair, and Washington must now ask if the Modi government is a reliable partner or a strategic danger.