A recent investigation by ABC TV has revealed that at least four Indian intelligence officers were expelled from Australia in 2020 following allegations of attempting to access sensitive defense technology and airport security protocols. This revelation has placed India alongside countries like Russia and China, known for violating international protocols.
In 2021, Mike Burgess, the head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), disclosed the disruption of a "nest of spies" operating in Australia.
Although not explicitly named, the ABC TV investigation suggests the network was linked to Indian intelligence agencies, with claims of monitoring and coercion within the Indian diaspora community.
Allegations of Diaspora Monitoring and Coercion
The report highlights several instances of alleged monitoring and intimidation tactics used against Australian Sikhs involved in activism related to the Khalistan movement. Harjinder Singh, a Melbourne taxi driver, reported receiving threats and his family in India being harassed due to his involvement in a non-binding referendum organized by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).Further claims include individuals being detained and questioned by Indian authorities for their activism, as well as receiving direct calls from Indian intelligence officers. One Australian Sikh even alleges being criminally charged in India, requiring a protection visa from Canberra due to the risk to his life upon return.
Infiltration of Australian Politics
The investigation also raises concerns about the Overseas Friends of the Bharatiya Janata Party (OFBJP), a group with ties to India's ruling BJP, allegedly attempting to infiltrate Australian politics.The report suggests OFBJP members, like Rahul Jethi, hold dual memberships in the Liberal Party and the OFBJP, potentially influencing the Indian diaspora's political leanings.
India's Response and International Implications
While India has denied any wrongdoing, the allegations have raised concerns about its intelligence activities abroad and treatment of the diaspora. Recent events, such as the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and a foiled murder-for-hire plot against SFJ founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US, have intensified scrutiny.The US government has shared evidence linking Indian officials to the foiled plot, leading to an ongoing investigation by a high-level committee in New Delhi.
This investigation sheds light on potential espionage and diaspora coercion activities by Indian intelligence agencies in Australia. While the full extent of these activities remains unclear, the allegations raise important questions about the balance between national security, individual rights, and the conduct of international relations.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the information provided by the ABC TV investigation and additional open-source reporting. It does not represent a definitive conclusion on the allegations but aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the situation for the general public.
