Australia Expels Indian Spies Amid Strengthening Bilateral Ties

Australian officials avoid commenting on the 2020 expulsion of Indian intelligence operatives, focusing instead on the positive aspects of the Australia-India relationship.

• In 2020, Australia quietly expelled two Indian intelligence operatives accused of espionage, including monitoring diaspora communities and obtaining sensitive information.
• Australian officials, including Treasurer Jim Chalmers, have declined to comment on the expulsion, emphasizing the strong and improving bilateral relationship with India.
• The expelled spies were allegedly involved in targeting politicians, a state police force, and obtaining classified trade and airport security information.
• India continues to be a key economic and military partner for Australia, with both countries participating in the Quad security dialogue alongside the U.S. and Japan.
• Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) took action against the spies, leading to the cancellation of a government employee's security clearance and the removal of the foreign operatives.

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