Australia Expels Indian Spies for Attempted Espionage

Australia expelled two Indian spies in 2020 for attempting to steal sensitive defense projects and airport security secrets, according to reports from The Australian and The Sydney Morning Herald. The spies were accused of monitoring the Indian diaspora in Australia, as well as developing relationships with current and former politicians.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) disrupted this foreign “nest of spies” and accused them of trying to obtain classified information about Australia’s trade relationships. ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess revealed the spy ring’s activities during his annual threat assessment in 2021, although he didn’t disclose the country involved. The spies also successfully recruited an Australian government security clearance holder with access to sensitive defense technology details.