India is among 133 nations that voted in favour of a draft UN General Assembly resolution which seeks resumption of failed negotiations on an international arms treaty aimed at regulating the $70 billion global trade in conventional weapons.

The passing of the resolution for resumption of the talks, which in the past had seen stiff opposition from the powerful US gun lobby National Rifle Association (NRA), has paved the way for a final round of negotiations to be held here from March 18 to 28 next year.

The arms trade talks had collapsed in July this year after the US said it needed more time to consider the proposed treaty.

The call for regulating the arms trade assumes significance against the backdrop of a surge in mass shootings in the US.