India, Oct. 16 -- Ashley J Tellis, a highly respected figure in American foreign policy and an expert on international security and Asian strategic affairs, has been arrested in the United States on charges related to the unlawful retention of classified national defense information. This unexpected development has sent ripples across diplomatic and academic circles, raising serious questions about security breaches involving sensitive government data.

The US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced that Tellis, aged 64, was taken into custody over the past weekend in Vienna, Virginia. He now faces federal charges that carry the possibility of a prison term up to ten years and a fine of up to $250,000.

"This case...