The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, New Delhi

Members of India's troubled coalition were to hold fresh talks Monday over a stalled nuclear deal with the United States, with left-wing parties demanding to know if the accord may still go ahead.

The dominant Congress party of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appeared to buckle last week to opposition from its leftist allies, who had threatened to withdraw their support and force early elections if the pact went ahead.

The prime minister has argued the accord, which will bring India into the loop of global atomic energy commerce, will help meet the future energy needs of an economy steaming along with an annual growth rate of nine percent.

But the communists say the deal, which would involve India being subjected to more international inspections, could harm the country's nuclear weapons programme.

They are also opposed to closer political and strategic ties with Washington.