Recent reports in US and Australian media outlets alleging operations by Indian “intelligence officials” abroad have unsettled the establishment in New Delhi, sources have revealed.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Indian spies were purportedly expelled from Australia after attempting to obtain secrets about sensitive defense projects, airport security, and classified information on trade relationships. The Australian and the Sydney Morning Herald reported that two Indian “spies” were requested to leave, with accusations of monitoring Indian residents and cultivating relationships with politicians.
Similarly, The Washington Post identified an Indian intelligence official allegedly involved in an assassination plot against pro-Khalistan Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, seeking to establish links with top officials in India’s intelligence and security apparatus.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed these reports, labeling them as “unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations” on a “serious matter.” He referred to an ongoing investigation by a high-level panel into security concerns shared by the US government regarding networks of organized criminals and terrorists.
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) Director-General Mike Burgess reportedly hinted at a spy network in Australia in his 2021 threat assessment, without disclosing the country behind it. He detailed how spies recruited an Australian government security clearance holder with access to sensitive defense technology details, as per ABC reports.
While the Indian government has yet to respond to the ABC’s revelations, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong declined to comment on intelligence matters but emphasized democratic principles and resilience against foreign interference.
Sources in New Delhi suggest a shared belief in South Block and North Block, housing the Ministries of External and Home Affairs, that Western agencies are attempting to establish boundaries with India, a key Quad grouping partner. Against the backdrop of India’s ongoing election season, there is a perception that Western partners are pressing for a more “sensitive” approach from the next government regarding overseas operations.
