<h1>Bangladeshi exhibitors stayed away from a major trade fair due to geopolitical tensions and visa-related constraints affecting cross-border participation.</h1> Absence of Bangladeshi exhibitors from BNCCI's 37th trade fair resulted from geopolitical tensions and visa-related issues that prevented historically significant cross border participation. BNCCI shifted the fair from a business to business model to a consumer and festival focus, emphasised handloom and handicrafts, and organised industry and MSME conclaves to facilitate policy and export support, while indicating future international participation depends on resolution of the diplomatic and visa constraints.