As South Asia confronts a generational shift in politics, two figures stand out for their intellect, articulation, and global experience: Pakistan’s Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and India’s Shashi Tharoor. Both are Oxford-educated, diplomatic, and charismatic. Yet, when viewed through the lens of present performance and future potential, Bilawal emerges as the more promising and enduring statesman.
Here is what I have observed over the past few years, and especially in the wake of recent national and international experiences the two have had after the South Asian conflict and its epic dimensions.
Educational Foundation
Bilawal’s education in Modern History and Politics at Christ Church, Oxford, was not only prestigious—it was intentionally political. It placed him in the direct lineage of leadership that included his mother, Benazir Bhutto, and grandfather, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. His academic grooming was designed for governance, not just scholarship.
Tharoor’s Ph.D. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts is no less impressive in theory. But it reflects more academic accomplishment than practical political training.
His intellectual path, while sophisticated, is less tailored to executive leadership.
Verdict: Bilawal’s education was deliberately political and practically aligned with statecraft, while Tharoor’s was academic and detached from realpolitik.
Political Experience and Governance
Bilawal assumed leadership of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) at age 19. In a country marked by volatility and skepticism, he not only survived politically—he rose to serve as Pakistan’s Foreign Minister during a period of heightened global tension and domestic unrest.
His tenure saw real influence: strategic engagements with world powers, principled diplomacy with adversaries, and a clear voice on global climate justice.
By contrast, Tharoor’s tenure in Indian politics has remained largely on the periphery. Since 2009, he has served as a Member of Parliament, with brief stints in junior ministries. Despite his rhetorical brilliance, he has never held senior executive responsibility nor demonstrated broad-based political credibility within India’s ruling or opposition coalitions.
Verdict: Bilawal has held higher executive authority and proven resilience under pressure; Tharoor has remained on the legislative sidelines.
Global Diplomacy
Bilawal’s active diplomatic leadership—particularly his role in establishing the historic Loss and Damage climate fund at COP27—has earned him international respect. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres praised Pakistan’s leadership, calling the agreement a “historic breakthrough.”
Tharoor’s UN legacy is formidable, including a campaign for Secretary-General in 2006. Yet that career is now in the rearview mirror. In the current geopolitical arena, Bilawal is at the table; Tharoor is in the commentary box.
Verdict: Bilawal is currently active and relevant in shaping global agendas; Tharoor’s global moment has passed.
Youth and Age
Bilawal is just 36. He embodies the energy, command of modern political communication, and generational appeal needed in 21st-century leadership.
He has decades ahead to grow his influence—something acknowledged by foreign leaders, including former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who described him as “a torchbearer of new diplomacy.”
Tharoor, approaching 70, still wields intellectual authority, but his window for executive leadership is narrowing. Even within his own party, younger faces are emerging.
Verdict: Bilawal has the biological, political, and social edge to lead for decades; Tharoor’s prime influence has peaked.
Popular Appeal
Bilawal connects with young voters across class lines through both rhetoric and grassroots activism. He has revitalized the PPP’s public image, especially in rural and urban Sindh.
His social media engagement and field outreach contrast sharply with Tharoor’s more elite, English-speaking constituency.
Verdict: Bilawal commands a dynamic, growing political base; Tharoor’s is static and niche.
Resonating with the moment
Bilawal’s recent engagement with the Pakistani American community demonstrated his ability to connect and relate to the current moment
For example, he noted at an event, “The Overseas Pakistanis Society is not just a bridge—it is an engine of grassroots diplomacy for diplomacy, development, and democracy.”
“We must amplify the voice of a democratic and pluralistic Pakistan,” Bilawal stated, emphasizing the need for globally anchored civic activism. He called upon diaspora leaders to invest not only in remittances but in institutional development, education, and climate action.
In a recent event hosted at the prestigious Cornell Club in Manhattan by the Overseas Pakistanis Society (OPS), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari delivered a stirring address focused on Pakistan’s democratic future and the global role of the diaspora. The event drew a cross-section of diplomats, academics, and policy influencers.
The diversity of experience
A unique emotional and philosophical mentorship distinguishes Bilawal’s upbringing. Unlike many second-generation politicians molded by privilege alone, Bilawal was raised amidst exile, loss, resilience, and public service. He embodies the legacy not just of a legacy of democratic resistance, but of a mother who foresaw in him the ability to unite a divided nation.
Benazir Bhutto once noted during a CNN interview in 2007: “Bilawal understands the pain of the people. He has seen too much, too young. But it will make him a better leader. A leader whose strength lies in listening before speaking.”
After Bilawal graduated from Oxford, Benazir said, “He’s ready to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather. He is destined to serve with integrity. But he must serve not with entitlement, but with humility.” Her words reflected both the weight of expectation and the clarity of purpose she instilled in her son.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s rise to prominence is not merely the continuation of a political dynasty—it is the realization of a mother’s vision. Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto often spoke about her son with a mix of maternal pride and prophetic clarity. In interviews and letters, she described Bilawal as ‘a a naturally curious and deeply compassionate soul’ with ‘a a mind refined through rigorous debate and a heart softened by empathy.’
A Mother’s Legacy and Prophecy
While both leaders bring sophistication to their roles, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has demonstrated executive experience, global leadership, and generational resonance that position him as a defining figure in South Asia’s future.
He does not come across merely the custodian of a legacy; he marks its evolution.
The future belongs to leaders like Bilawal—not only because of what they represent, but because of what they are actively building.
As former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry once remarked, “Young leaders like Bilawal give us hope that diplomacy and democracy still have powerful torchbearers in the 21st century.”
Editor’s Note: Opinions expressed by contributors to the Op-ed section are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Views News Now.
