Australia expelled two Indian intelligence spies for trying to steal sensitive information about defense projects and airport security. The Washington Post published a story on April 30, 2024, that Australia expelled two members of India’s foreign intelligence agency for spy operations in 2020.

The expelled Indian spies were reportedly members of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). Asio, Australia’s national intelligence agency has previously claimed that a network of spies from an unidentified nation had tried to gather information on confidential transactions and politicians.

Following the event, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation stated that the Morrison government had withdrawn several Indian officials from Australia. However, Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong declined to confirm the 2020 incident.

But Penny Wong clarified that the Australian government is committed to preventing foreign interference and spying activity. She said the importance of ensuring that they maintain the resilience of their democracy. However, the government was against spying activities of other countries and interfering in national matters.

Penny said that she and other ministers had emphasized how significant it is to ensure they keep their democracy strong. Even though there were concerns about foreign interference, they have legal means to address that.

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Reporters asked her if people from the Indian community in Australia should worry about the reports of Indian spies. Penny Wong responded they deeply value the multicultural structure of the Australian community. It is a strength and they want people to keep participating in their government.

However, the Washington Post stated Australia expelled two Indian spies in 2020 as one of a series of clashes between RAW and Western domestic security services. The German Police had arrested RAW agents in Sikh communities as part of efforts to expel them.

It also reported that the UK MI5 intelligence agency had warned India about the RAW monitoring of England’s Sikh population.

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