The Armenian government on Thursday decided to remove China and India from a 2008 list which requires invitations for Chinese and Indian nationals to get their entry visas to Armenia.

The decision means that Chinese and Indian nationals will get their visas upon landing. Previously, only diplomat and service passport holders from these two countries enjoy visa-free travel to Armenia.

The Armenian foreign ministry said that China and India are of interests to Armenia. Both countries have shown a balanced approach toward Armenia and both have registered steady economic growths and have had huge trade surplus with Armenia.

In 2010, China has overtaken Germany to become the second largest trading partner with Armenia.

The Armenian foreign ministry said that strict visa requirements for Chinese and Indian nationals are no longer in line with the spirit of the relations between these two countries and Armenia.

In 2008, Armenia made a list to include 18 states which are required to have invitations from Armenia to apply for entry visas. That list included China and India.