Australia ‘working overtime’ to ensure diplomatic relationship with India is in ‘good order’ [Video]

ASPI Senior Fellow Mark Watson says Australia has been “working overtime” to ensure its diplomatic relationship with India is in “good order”.

Last month, the Washington Post reported that in 2020, Australia expelled two officers from the Research and Analysis Wing of India’s foreign intelligence service.

It comes after ASIO had previously alleged that a ‘nest of spies’ from an unnamed country sought to cultivate politicians, monitor diaspora communities and obtain classified information.

“The cornerstone of Australia’s foreign policy right now is the Indo-Pacific – a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Watson told Sky News Australia.

“There is no Indo-Pacific without India, and so Australia has been working overtime to make sure that its diplomatic relationship is in good order, the economic relationship is in good order, partly as a counterbalance to trade with China – being able to diversify markets.

“Of course, also, we have these enormous person-to-person ties – there are about, I think, Indian-born Australians at present – that’s gone up half a million in 10 years.”