Dehradun, Dec. 14 -- Junior Warrant Officer Mohammad Safin Ashraf (25) from Bangladesh, who received the first order of merit among the 34 foreign cadets from 14 friendly nations who passed out from the IMA during the ceremony, on Saturday struck a note of optimism in his interactions with reporters, saying the two countries have "always been good friends" and he hopes the bond continues. He declined to comment on recent developments across the border, saying, "These are political matters. The military is different, so I have no comments on that." Originally from Dhaka, Safin joined the Bangladesh Army after completing the year-long course at the IMA, after three years of training at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune. "I am very proud to be commissioned from the IMA," he said. Reflecting on his training at the Indian military institutions, Safin said the experience had been enriching. Lieutenant General Nagendra Singh, Commandant of the IMA, in his speech before the pipping ceremony, said, "I congratulate my friends from friendly foreign countries for having worked very hard. I was impressed by your standards. We have forged a deep bond of friendship between us...and I am sure this bond will last forever." India-Bangladesh relations plummeted to their lowest point in decades after the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed power in Dhaka after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down following weeks of protests led by student groups....