Premier of India stakes career on U.S. nuclear pact

As prime minister, the blue-turbaned Sikh is fighting the biggest political battle of his career as he tries to implement another radical initiative, one that he hopes will transform India in the 21st century: the historic nuclear energy agreement with the United States.

The agreement would give India access to nuclear fuel and technology, even though it has refused to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. . . .

Last week, a coalition of communist parties withdrew its support from the government to protest the deal. The withdrawal precipitated a political crisis, and the government now faces a confidence vote in Parliament on Tuesday. Singh's party is scrambling to cobble together support from smaller, regional parties and independent lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the communist leaders are holding nationwide rallies calling Singh a stooge of the United States.