According to a recent investigation by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), at least four ‘Indian intelligence officers’ were asked to leave Australia in 2020 after they allegedly attempted to access “sensitive defence technology and airport security protocols”. According to the Australian national broadcaster, the four officers quietly left Australia and the issue was not escalated bilaterally.

ABC commented that the expulsion of the officials put India “on par with countries such as Russia and China, which are notorious for violating protocols abroad.”

“They were targeting former and current politicians as well as the state police service. Significantly, they are also accused of conducting surveillance on the Australian Indian community,” the ABC report said.

The report comes years after Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) chief Mike Burgess revealed in 2021 that the organisation had successfully dismantled a “base of spies” in Australia.

“For example, last year, an ASIO investigation focused on a group of spies from a particular foreign intelligence service who were operating in Australia. We confronted the foreign spies, and quietly and professionally removed them from Australia,” ASIO chief Mike Burgess said in 2021.

“We encountered the foreign spies and removed them quietly and professionally,” Burgess said.

Earlier in April 2024, The Washington Post reported that two officers from India’s foreign intelligence service, the Research and Analysis Wing, were expelled from Australia in 2020.

Following this, the ABC reported that “several” Indian officials were being removed from Australia by the Scott Morrison government.

Anthony Albanese will succeed Morrison as Australian Prime Minister in May 2022.

These reports also point to alleged activities by Indian intelligence agencies to monitor and intimidate NRIs.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong then declined to confirm the 2020 event would take place, but stressed “the importance of ensuring our resilience”. [Australian] To defend democracy, including any suggestion of foreign interference.”

“We have laws to deal with this,” Wong said in April.