After a Los Angeles filmmaker rejected its offer to buy a group of Gandhi's personal items that are scheduled for auction later today, the Indian government says it will take all necessary measures, including bidding, to acquire the items, Bloomberg reports.

Culture Minister Ambika Soni, speaking in New Delhi, cited Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as directing that "whatever possible" be done to bring the items home to India.

The seven items, including Gandhi's pocket watch, famous glasses, and a pair of sandals, are to be sold today as one lot through New York–based Antiquorum auction house. The estimate is listed as $20–30,000.

The Indian government made an offer to James Otis, the owner of the items, who countered that he would hand them over in exchange for a government pledge to improve health care. India rejected the terms, according to CNN-IBN news, with a junior foreign minister saying, "Gandhiji himself would not have agreed to conditions."