India’s 15th Vice President, C. P. Radhakrishnan, was elected on 9th September 2025, marking a key political development. While this win adds strength to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), it also carries strong implications for India’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). These businesses are the backbone of the Indian economy, and Radhakrishnan’s long association with grassroots industries and rural entrepreneurship makes his new position highly relevant to this vital sector.

A Leader with Strong Roots in MSMEs

C. P. Radhakrishnan’s connection to the MSME world is not new. He was born in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu—a city known across the globe for its vibrant textile and knitwear industry, most of which is powered by small and medium businesses. Growing up in such an industrial environment helped shape his understanding of how small enterprises contribute to economic growth and job creation.

Later, as a two-time Member of Parliament from Coimbatore, he regularly raised issues related to power shortages, industrial infrastructure, and the challenges of small manufacturers. His constituency was a hub for pumps, motors, textiles, and precision industries—many of which fall under the MSME category. He was always a vocal supporter of strengthening this ecosystem.

His Impact as Coir Board Chairman

Radhakrishnan’s tenure as the Chairperson of the Coir Board of India from 2016 to 2020 demonstrated his hands-on leadership in a sector that supports lakhs of rural artisans. The coir industry involves processing coconut husk into ropes, mats, brushes, and other eco-friendly products. Most of these units are tiny operations based in rural areas of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and other southern states.

During his time at the helm, the coir sector achieved record export growth. He pushed for modernization of coir processing techniques, promoted skill development, and encouraged branding and marketing support for coir products. His efforts helped traditional manufacturers compete in global markets, leading to better incomes and job security in the villages.

Political Experience and Grassroots Approach

Beyond his administrative roles, Radhakrishnan’s political journey has always been rooted in the belief that governance should uplift the common citizen. He was known for organizing long public campaigns like the 19,000 km Ratha Yatra to promote national unity, anti-corruption, river-linking, and rural development. These experiences gave him deep insights into the aspirations and struggles of small business owners, rural artisans, and self-employed individuals.

His leadership as BJP Tamil Nadu President helped build support among local entrepreneurs, farmers, and youth aspiring to start small ventures. His support extended beyond policy statements to field visits, public dialogues, and detailed representations to the central government.

Vision for MSMEs in the New Role

Now that C. P. Radhakrishnan has been elected as the Vice President of India, his influence on national discourse will grow significantly. Though the Vice President does not directly form laws or allocate budgets, he chairs the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament. This role allows him to guide legislative debates and spotlight important economic issues—especially those concerning MSMEs.

Radhakrishnan’s approach to MSMEs is holistic. He sees small businesses not just as economic units, but as drivers of self-reliance, social stability, and community empowerment. He believes that a nation cannot be truly developed until its smallest producers are prosperous and competitive.

Technology and Modernization for Traditional Sectors

One of his key focus areas is modernization without losing tradition. He believes that small industries rooted in India’s cultural and natural heritage—like handloom weaving, pottery, wood carving, and organic farming—must be upgraded with new tools and technologies, without sacrificing their uniqueness. His leadership at the Coir Board is a perfect example of this belief in action.

By promoting better machinery, digital payments, packaging standards, and online sales platforms, he aims to help MSMEs expand their markets, especially in international trade. At the same time, he supports efforts to protect traditional skills and ensure that these businesses remain community-based and sustainable.

Support for Non-Metro Business Growth

Radhakrishnan is a strong believer in decentralized development. He often says that India’s economic growth should not be limited to Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru. Cities like Coimbatore, Nagpur, Ranchi, and Madurai must also become engines of business growth. These cities already have thousands of MSMEs operating, and with better roads, logistics, training centers, and financing options, they can transform into global manufacturing zones.

He believes that empowering these smaller cities with industrial parks, startup hubs, and digital infrastructure will help reduce pressure on metros and offer better opportunities in the heart of India.

Cooperative Federalism for Industrial Policy

Another important aspect of his vision is cooperative federalism. Radhakrishnan understands that states must work closely with the central government to make policies effective. MSME schemes can only succeed if local governments implement them properly, provide on-ground support, and remove bureaucratic delays.

His experience as Governor of multiple states has made him aware of the administrative hurdles that businesses face. He often emphasizes the importance of simple laws, quick approvals, and accountability at every level of governance.

Ease of Doing Business and Credit Access

One of the most common problems for MSMEs in India is the difficulty in accessing loans, managing paperwork, and complying with regulations. Radhakrishnan supports policies that simplify these processes. He believes that digital tools, mobile-based applications, and a single-window system for registrations and clearances can make life much easier for small entrepreneurs.

He is also a strong voice for improving access to low-interest credit, especially for first-time business owners, women-led enterprises, and rural entrepreneurs. He supports the strengthening of Mudra loans, startup incubation programs, and public and private partnerships to ensure that MSMEs have all the tools they need to grow.

Preparing MSMEs for a Global Market

C. P. Radhakrishnan believes that India’s small businesses and startups are ready to conquer the world stage. With the right support in branding, quality certification, logistics, and market intelligence, he sees no reason why MSMEs cannot become key exporters in sectors like textiles, food processing, herbal products, and eco-friendly crafts.

He encourages public sector bodies, export councils, and private players to come together and create stronger international platforms for MSMEs. According to him, India’s economic rise must be driven from the ground up, powered by small entrepreneurs who carry the soul of the nation in their work.

C. P. Radhakrishnan’s election as Vice President is more than a constitutional change. It is a message that leaders with experience in local industry, rural development, and small enterprise policy are now stepping into top national roles. For the MSME sector, which is often called the silent engine of the Indian economy, this development brings new hope.

His track record proves that he understands the problems and potential of MSMEs. His future efforts will likely focus on modernization, decentralization, credit access, state cooperation, and global competitiveness. If India’s goal is to become a five-trillion-dollar economy, then MSMEs will have to be at the center of that journey—and under Radhakrishnan’s watch, they just might get the attention and support they deserve.