Hyderabad, July 13 -- A minority crisis has been affecting top Indian diplomatic positions in Saudi Arabia. The external affairs ministry with insufficient strength of diplomatic corps is often facing tough time over posting high-ranking diplomats to oil-rich Kingdom.

Only Muslim officers being posted as Ambassador in Riyadh and Consul General in Jeddah from Nehru to Modi era; the cited reason is Haj pilgrimage operation. The Pakistan that sends higher number of Hajis than India yet its ambassador or consul general have little role to play, similarly Russia sends largest pilgrims from Europe has no Muslim diplomat.

The non-availability of Muslim officers in the ministry is recurring subject whenever New Delhi posts top diplomats in Saud...