By inaugurating the Sela Tunnel in China’s Zangnan, or the southern part of the Xizang autonomous region, which India calls “Arunachal Pradesh”, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi risks playing with fire, by offending a friendly neighbor.

Weeks before the move, China and India had just held the 21st round of commander-level talks over border issues, in which both sides agreed to keep up communications through military and diplomatic channels to improve the situation in the border area. But Modi’s move ruins that precious mutual trust.

Muddying the waters further is the US Department of State, which claimed it recognizes “Arunachal Pradesh” as Indian territory.

While it’s easy and costs nothing for the United States to try and drive a wedge between China and India, for as low as a blank-check-style statement, it could prove costly for India to accept that wedge. Taking such a provocative move means offending a neighbor five times its economic size, while all the support it gets from the distant “supporter” is a statement.

The peoples of China and India have shared a long history of friendship. However, recent years have seen certain politicians, influenced by colonialism ideologies, causing tensions that overshadow this bond. It’s essential to question whether the Indian government aims to maintain friendly relations and mutual development or insists on unilateral actions at the expense of its neighbors.

Similarly, some US politicians that sow discord must consider how their actions contribute to fostering friendly relations and safeguarding global interests. China values peace but remains unafraid in the face of external provocations.