Indian Spies Expelled from Australia for Alleged Espionage Activities

In 2020, two Indian spies were expelled from Australia for allegedly attempting to steal defense secrets and monitoring expatriate communities, according to report citing unnamed officials. The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) disrupted a "nest of spies" from India's foreign intelligence service, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), who were accused of attempting to obtain classified information on Australian trade, security, and defense projects.

The expelled Indian operatives were said to have targeted sensitive defense technology and had also recruited an Australian government security clearance holder with knowledge of classified details. They were also closely monitoring Indians living in Australia and had developed relationships with current and former politicians.

While ASIO director-general Mike Burgess alluded to the spy ring in his 2021 annual threat assessment, he did not name the country involved at the time. "ASIO dealt with multiple threats to the security of Australians and Australia's interests from foreign intelligence services in 2020," Burgess said, noting that espionage is conducted by "friendly nations" with "sharp elbows and voracious intelligence requirements."

Why this matters: The revelations highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Australia in countering foreign interference and espionage attempts, even from countries considered allies. As Australia seeks to strengthen ties with India, particularly through the Quad security partnership, the incident underscores the delicate balance between fostering international cooperation and safeguarding national security interests.

The Australian government has not officially confirmed or denied the reports of Indian spies being expelled, with officials emphasizing the importance of maintaining the resilience of Australia's democracy and its good relationship with India. Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated that Australia still has a good relationship with India despite the revelations, noting that India is Australia's sixth-largest trading partner. The Indian High Commission in Canberra and the Indian Ministry of External Affairs have not responded to requests for comment on the alleged espionage activities.

Key Takeaways

• Two Indian spies expelled from Australia for attempting to steal defense secrets
• Spies targeted sensitive defense tech and recruited an Australian govt security clearance holder
• ASIO disrupted a "nest of spies" from India's foreign intelligence service, RAW
• Incident highlights challenges in countering foreign interference, even from allied nations
• Australia maintains good relations with India despite the espionage revelations