The British High Commission on Wednesday said the Indian government has not yet approached it for acquiring a letter written by Mahatma Gandhi [Images] that is being auctioned by Christie's in London [Images] next week.

"They haven't spoken to us or me. This issue is going to the public and the open society. It is quite hard for the government, but people realise the sensitivity," British High Commissioner Sir Michael Arthur told NDTV news channel.

He admitted it would be difficult for the Indian government to acquire the letter in the open market.

"It is difficult in the open market. It is difficult for the government to get deeply involved. They recognise the sensitivity. Let us see how we take it forward," Arthur said.

The letter written by Gandhi just 19 days before his assassination in 1948 is among the handwritten treasures from a private collection to be auctioned by Christie's on July 3.

With hardly a week before the letter goes under the hammer, the government has stepped in with efforts to acquire it, but Christie's said it will go ahead with the sale.