Kathmandu: Australia kicked out Indian spies after they were caught trying to steal secrets about sensitive defence projects and airport security, as well as classified information on Australia’s trade relationships, ABC News of Australia reported recently.
The so-called foreign “nest of spies” disrupted by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in 2020 was also accused of closely monitoring Indians living here and developing close relationships with current and former politicians.
ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess mentioned in March 2021 that the spies developed targeted relationships with current and former politicians, a foreign embassy and a state police service. “They monitored their country’s diaspora community. They tried to obtain classified information about Australia’s trade relationships. They asked a public servant to provide information on security protocols at a major airport,” Burgess said.
The Washington Post this week also reported that two members of the Indian intelligence agency known as the “Research and Analysis Wing” (RAW) were expelled from Australia in 2020 following an ASIO counter-intelligence operation.
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