The Australian government has talked up its close ties with Delhi despite reports that two Indian spies were expelled from the country in 2020.
In 2021, Australia’s intelligence chief said that foreign agents had been operating locally in the previous year – but he did not say their nationality.
Multiple news outlets reported this week that they were from India.
Australia has not confirmed or denied those reports but says it is keen to counter foreign interference.
“I don’t propose to get into those stories,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers told the ABC on Wednesday.
“We have got a good relationship with India… It’s an important economic relationship. It’s become closer in recent years as a consequence of efforts on both sides.”
In a speech three years ago, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) chief Mike Burgess said a “nest of spies” had developed “targeted relationships with current and former politicians, a foreign embassy and a state police service” throughout 2020.
