Visakhapatnam, June 11 -- East Coast Fishing Boat Owners Association president Janakiram asserted that the US military was responsible for the deaths of Indian sailors, including a chief engineer from Visakhapatnam, in an attack on the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello.

Questioning the circumstances surrounding the incident, Janakiram said the vessel was neither Indian nor part of any military or coast guard operation.

"But why did the US military attack a commercial vessel? It is neither an Indian ship nor a military or Coast Guard vessel," he said.

He also raised concerns over India-US relations in the wake of the incident.

"What happened to the bilateral agreements between the US and India? Diplomatic talks take place every tw...