Nuclear fission

The search will intensify in Delhi this week for a formula that can preserve a tenuous alliance between India's Congress-led government and its communist parliamentary allies, who are currently rowing over a civilian nuclear deal with the United States.

If the search is fruitless, India could be heading for early elections.

The nuclear agreement has long faced determined opposition in Delhi, where nuclear scientists and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party have joined communists to condemn it. They suspect US motives and are concerned that the deal will undermine sovereignty. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has repeatedly defended it, pointing to India's desperate need to diversify energy sources.

The communists have so far stopped short of withdrawing support for the ruling United Progressive Alliance coalition, but have called on Delhi to cancel scheduled talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers Group in September. A communist withdrawal from the government could have serious consequences, leaving the UPA coalition dangerously small and raising the prospect of early elections.