Lieutenant Zaif Sadid Alvy of Bangladesh has successfully completed his military training at the prestigious Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, concluding a remarkable journey through two of India’s foremost military institutions—the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy.
Alvy was commissioned as an officer after participating in the Passing Out Parade at IMA on 13 June 2026. Before his graduation, he held the cadet appointment of Junior Under Officer and was part of the 158th Regular Course at the academy.
The Indian Army shared a video featuring Alvy ahead of the Passing Out Parade, in which the young Bangladeshi officer reflected on his experience in India and spoke warmly about the leadership, teamwork, friendships and cultural understanding developed during his training.
Introducing himself as Junior Under Officer Zaif Sadid Alvy from Bangladesh, he said that his experience as a member of the 148th Course at the National Defence Academy and the 158th Regular Course at the Indian Military Academy had been both memorable and enriching.
“My experience at the National Defence Academy as a part of the 148th Course and the Indian Military Academy as a part of the 158th Regular Course has truly been enticing and memorable,” Alvy said.
His military journey in India began at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, where cadets from the Army, Navy and Air Force undergo joint training. He later moved to the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun for specialised pre-commission training before joining the Bangladesh Army as an officer.
Alvy said the experience went far beyond physical conditioning, military exercises and classroom instruction. According to him, his years at NDA and IMA helped him understand the true meaning of leadership, teamwork and unity among people belonging to different backgrounds.
“Beyond military training, I got to know about the true essence of leadership, teamwork and, most importantly, living as a force despite coming from different backgrounds,” he said.
Training at NDA and IMA brought Alvy into close contact with Indian cadets and officer cadets from several friendly foreign countries. Living and training together under demanding conditions helped create strong bonds among the members of his course.
“The bond that I share with my coursemates is something that I will always cherish,” he said, acknowledging the friendships developed during his years in India.
Alvy also highlighted the cultural exposure that he received during his stay at the two academies. Cadets joining Indian military institutions come from different states, regions, linguistic communities and countries, creating a diverse training environment.
“During my stay at the academies, I got to know about new languages, experience different cultures and learn more about the rich military traditions and ethos of different countries in the world,” he said.
The Bangladeshi officer explained that these interactions broadened his outlook as both a future military leader and an individual. He expressed sincere gratitude to the officers, instructors and coursemates who supported him throughout his training.
“This has broadened my perspectives both as a future military officer and also as a person. For that, I am sincerely grateful, and I am totally indebted to all the officers, instructors and my dear coursemates for making my stay over here as smooth as possible,” Alvy said.
As he prepared to march across the Chetwode Drill Square and take the Antim Pag, or final step, Alvy said the training had given him greater confidence and prepared him to accept the responsibilities of military leadership.
“As I stand at the end of my training over here, I find myself more confident. I find myself confident enough to lead by example in my days ahead,” he said.
Alvy added that he would carry the lessons, memories and values gained in India back to Bangladesh as he began his professional career in uniform.
“I am sanguine that in my future, I will be able to lead by example as I carry back all the memories and lessons to my country,” he said.
His remarks reflected the important role played by military academies in developing professional bonds between officers from neighbouring and friendly countries. Foreign cadets training at NDA and IMA undergo demanding academic, physical and military instruction alongside their Indian coursemates.
India has trained military personnel from Bangladesh and numerous other partner countries for decades. These training programmes form an important component of India’s defence diplomacy and seek to promote professional cooperation, institutional familiarity and mutual understanding among future military leaders.
India and Bangladesh share deep historical ties dating back to the 1971 Liberation War, when Indian forces fought alongside the Mukti Bahini and played a decisive role in the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent nation.
Military cooperation between the two countries has subsequently included professional courses, exchange visits, staff talks, joint exercises and training opportunities at Indian defence institutions.
The continuation of such training programmes is particularly significant at a time when India-Bangladesh relations are experiencing political and diplomatic challenges. Bilateral ties have faced strain since the political upheaval in Bangladesh in August 2024 and the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India.
The Indian Army’s video featuring Alvy also attracted mixed reactions on social media. While several users appreciated the tradition of training officers from friendly countries, others questioned the value of extending military training to Bangladeshi cadets amid strained diplomatic relations and growing anti-India rhetoric in sections of Bangladesh.
However, military training exchanges are generally designed to create long-term professional relationships that can continue despite temporary political disagreements. Officers who train together often remain connected throughout their careers, providing valuable channels of communication and mutual understanding between their respective armed forces.
Alvy’s positive reflections on his time at NDA and IMA demonstrated the influence that shared training, military traditions and personal friendships can have on young officers. His experience also highlighted India’s continuing role as a major training destination for military cadets from friendly foreign nations.
As Lieutenant Zaif Sadid Alvy returns to Bangladesh to serve his country, he carries with him years of training, professional knowledge and memories developed alongside his Indian and international coursemates.
His journey from NDA to the Indian Military Academy stands as an example of how military education can bring together young people from different countries, strengthen professional understanding and create bonds founded on discipline, teamwork, mutual respect and shared service values.
