NEW DELHI, Aug 19: India's ruling coalition on Sunday closed ranks behind Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, whose government risks losing the critical support of communist allies because of a landmark nuclear deal with the United States.

The communists, who are not part of the coalition but shore it up, warned the government on Saturday of “serious consequences” if it pursues the US deal.

The United Progressive Alliance (UPA), the coalition headed by Singh's Congress party, said it had “full faith and confidence” in the UPA leadership and Singh.

After a meeting at the prime minister's residence, the UPA said the alliance was confident its leadership would “be able to address all legitimate concerns, including those voiced by our left colleagues on issues of national interest”.

The four communist parties have 60 MPs in the 545-member lower house of parliament. Singh's government could fall or be reduced to a minority if the left withdraws support.—Reuters