Indian spies were kicked out of by the former Scott Morrison government, accused of trying to get classified information about our trading partnerships and sensitive information concerning national security, officials have revealed.
Intelligence officials from the n Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), managed to disrupt the spy ring in 2020.
The agency was alerted to a range of activities allegedly being conducted by the operatives who were closely monitoring Indians living in .
The so-called ‘nest of spies’ from India also formed close relationships with several current and former ns politicians, the ABC reported.
ASIO officials managed to detect and disrupt a ‘nest of spies’ from India’s foreign intelligence agency, who tried to access classified information (pictured ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess)
READ MORE: Spies uncovered plot organised by a foreign nation to hack the n government
Senior government staffers were targeted by foreign operatives in an attempt to uncover information about ‘s spy networks (pictured stock image)
ASIO director general Mike Burgess first alluded to the spy ring in his annual threat assessment delivered at the agency’s Canberra headquarters in 2021 but didn’t name the country.
‘The spies developed targeted relationships with current and former politicians, a foreign embassy and a state police service,’ he said at the time.
‘They monitored their country’s diaspora community. They tried to obtain classified information about ‘s trade relationships.
‘They asked a public servant to provide information on security protocols at a major airport.’
n national security officials and senior government figures have now told the ABC that the Indian foreign intelligence service, known as the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) were responsible for the undercover agents.
RAW is India’s external intelligence agency which was established in 1968 by the Intelligence Bureau of India.
‘A number’ of Indian officials were removed from by the then Morrison government after their undercover activities were detected.
Mr Burgess also detailed at the time how the ‘nest of the spies’ recruited an individual from the n government, who had security clearance to supply them with sensitive information about ‘s defence technology.
The spies were asked to leave by officials from the government of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi)
The spies tried to gain access to security protocols at a major airport in by using a public servant (pictured stock image)
Last year he declined to provide details over any concerns ASIO officials in have, about foreign operations being conducted by the Indian government.
‘I don’t comment on any actions of any government…I can assure you though if we saw acts of foreign interference or plotting for that, we will deal with it,’ he told the ABC.
When asked if he was directly involved in removing any Indian intelligence operatives from , Mr Burgess declined to disclose operational matters.
Daily Mail contacted ASIO, the Indian High Commission, and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for comment.
India’s intelligence activities have come under scrutiny after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, accused the Indian government of being involved in the assassination of a Sikh activist in British Columbia in June, last year.
The Indian government denied that officials were involved in the incident.
The operatives also recruited an individual from the n government who had security clearance, in order to obtain details about ‘s defence technology (stock image)