National security and government sources have disclosed to ABC that India's foreign intelligence service orchestrated a network of spies, prompting the Morrison government to expel several Indian officials from Australia.
The revelation comes after reports surfaced that members of India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) were expelled in 2020 for espionage activities, including monitoring the Indian diaspora, cultivating relationships with politicians, and attempting to pilfer defense and trade secrets.
According to the report published by ABC News Australia, Indian spies were kicked out of Australia after being caught trying to steal secrets about sensitive defence projects and airport security, as well as classified information on Australia's trade relationships.
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.
"The spies developed targeted relationships with current and former politicians, a foreign embassy and a state police service," Mr Burgess said during his March 2021 speech inside ASIO's Canberra headquarters.
"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."
Mr Burgess also detailed how the "nest of spies" had successfully cultivated and recruited an Australian government security clearance holder who had access to "sensitive details of defence technology".
National security and government figures have now confirmed to the ABC that India's foreign intelligence service was responsible for the "nest of spies", and "a number" of Indian officials were later removed from Australia by the Morrison government.
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.
The operation, conducted by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), underscores heightened concerns over foreign interference and underscores the delicate balance between diplomacy and safeguarding national security.