The draft resolution will now go to the General Assembly which is expected to formally adopt it. Prior to voting on the resolution, the committee rejected an amendment seeking to delete the entire operative paragraph which calls on all states to consider all proposals, including those reflected in its resolutions on the establishment of nuclear weapon free zones in the Middle East and South Asia.

It decided to retain the paragraph by 125 votes in favour with only India casting a negative vote. Earlier, Pakistan sought a vote on retaining the words ``and South Asia'' in the paragraph. The committee approved to retain the words by 118 votes in favour with only India and Bhutan opposing. The operative paragraph of the resolution welcomes steps taken to conclude further nuclear weapon freezones on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among states of the regions concerned.

The resolution also calls upon the states, parties and signatories to all existing nuclear weapon free zone treaties to pursue the ``common goals'' envisaged and to promote the nuclear weapon free status of the southern hemisphere and adjacent areas.