"We Have Laws To Deal With Foreign Interference": Australian Minister Wong On Media Allegations Against Indian Spies

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong reaffirmed the country's commitment to democratic values amid concerns of "foreign interference," following reports of an alleged Indian spy network operating on Australian soil.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) had earlier reported that Indian operatives were expelled for attempting to access classified information on defense projects and airport security.

Wong stated, “[...]You would be unsurprised to hear me respond that we don’t comment on intelligence matters. But at a level of principle about the democracy, I think you would have heard me and other Ministers on many occasions assert the importance of our democratic principles, assert the importance of ensuring that we maintain the resilience of our democracy, including in the face of any suggestion of foreign interference, and we have laws to deal with that.” 

Australia and India, close strategic partners and Quad members, have a deepening economic relationship, including an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement and ongoing trade pact negotiations.

ABC's India bureau chief Avani Dias recently faced visa issues after covering the murder of a pro-Khalistan ideologue in Canada, highlighting sensitivities around the issue.

The alleged Indian spy network, reportedly monitored Indian diaspora members and had close ties with politicians.

While the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) disrupted this network in 2020, the Ministry of External Affairs in India has refrained from commenting on the matter.