The government on Monday said India has no "currently operative" Extradition Treaty with Argentina, rejecting Bharatiya Janata Party's claim that such an accord exists and should be used to get Bofors case accused Ottavio Quattrocchi in New Delhi.

External Affairs Ministry said an Extradition Treaty had been signed in 1889 between the United Kingdom and Argentine Republic but that was applicable to British India only.

"Post Indian independence and following the enactment of the Extradition Act 1962 by the Indian Parliament, the Treaty of 1889 is not operative since it was not notified in accordance with Section 3, clause (3) of the Act, after having obtained the consent of the Government of Argentine Republic," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said.

"Thus, India does not have currently operative Extradition Treaty with Argentina", he said. His statement came after senior BJP leaders L K Advani and Jaswant Singh said India has an Extradition Treaty with Argentina which "still survives."