Vladimir Putin biography: age, wife, KGB, wealth, politics, family

Vladimir Putin is serving as president of  Russia since 2012. He also served as an intelligence officer in KGB. During his office as president, Russia had ups and low in different sectors because of his policies. When countries and international organizations were imposing sanctions on Russia for Ukraine revolution and annexation of Crimea, Putin's approval rating was 85.9% which was six year high. Let us get into whole story to understand Putin's personality and his policies.
EARLY LIFE:

Vladimir Putin's full name is Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. He was born on 7 October 1952 in Leningrad, USSR (now known as Saint Petersburg). His father's name was Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin Putin. His mother's name was Ivanovna Putina. He was youngest of three children. His elder brothers, Albert and Viktor, died in infancy.
Putin's mother was factory worker. His father was conscript in Soviet Navy, serving in submarine fleet in early 1930s. He also served in destruction battalion of the NKVD.
EDUCATION:

On 1 September 1960, Putin started attending School No. 193 in Baskov Lane, near to his house. At age of 12, he started learning Sambo and Judo. He is black belt in Judo and national master of sports in Sambo. Putin studied German at Saint Petersburg High School 281 and speaks German fluently. Putin started learning Law at Leningrad State University (now known as Saint Petersburg University) in 1970. He graduated in the year 1975.
Putin met Antoly Sobchak, an co-professor of business law and co-author of Russian constitution. He was very influential in Putin's career.
KOMITET GOSUDARSTVENNOY BEZOPASNOSTI (KGB)

In 1975, Vladimir Putin joined KGB. He was trained at 401st School in Okhta, Leningrad. After training Putin worked in Second Chief Directorate. Later he was transferred to First Chief Directorate, where he monitored foreigners and consular in Leningrad. In Sept 1984, Vladimir Putin was sent for training at Yuri Andropov Red Banner Institute in Moscow. He then served in Dresden, East Germany. In early 1990, Putin returned to Leningrad and worked at International affairs section of Leningrad State University. On 20 August 1991, he resigned from KGB as Lieutenant Colonel.
START OF POLITICAL CAREER:

In May 1990, Putin was appointed as advisor on international affairs to Mayor of Leningrad, Antoly Sobchak. On 28 June 1991, Vladimir Putin became head of committee for external relations of the Mayor's Office. In March 1994, Putin became first deputy chairman of Government of Saint Petersburg. In June 1996, Sobchak lost election due to which Putin moved to Moscow, where he was appointed as Deputy Chief of Presidential Property Management Department.

On 26 March 1997, President Boris Yeltsin appointed as deputy Chief of Presidential Staff. On 25 May 1998, Putin was appointed as First Deputy Chief of Presidential Staff. On 25 July 1998, Boris Yeltsin appointed Vladimir Putin as director of the Federal Security Service(FSB).
On 9th August 1999, Putin was selected among one of the three First deputy prime ministers. Later on that day Putin was appointed as acting Prime Minister of Government of the Russian Federation. On 16 August he got 233 votes in State Duma, after which his appointment as prime minister was approved. He is not associated with any party but pledged his support for Unity Party.
On 31 December 1999, President Boris Yeltsin resigned unexpectedly. According to Russian constitution, Vladimir Putin became acting President of Russia. After Yeltsin's resignation, Presidential elections held on 26 March 2000. Putin won election with 53% votes in his favor. Putin appointed Minister of Finance, Mikhail Kasyanov, as the Prime Minister. In August 2000, Putin was alleged for mishandling of Kursk submarine disaster.

On 14 March 2004, Putin was reelected as President of Russia with 71% votes in favor. On 12 September 2007, Vladimir Putin dissolved the government upon the request of Prime Minster Mikhail Fradkov. Viktor Zubkov was appointed as new Prime Minister.
According to Russian constitution, Vladimir Putin cannot continue as President of Russia for Third consecutive time. First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Mendvedev was elected as his successor. A day after, Putin became Prime Minister of Russia to maintain his political dominance. Taking out Russia from World Economic Crises and stabilizing Russia's population were two achievements of Putin.

On 24 September 2011, Dmitry Mendvedev proposed that Putin stand for Presidency in 2012. This switch was termed as 'Rokirovka' or 'Castling' in media.
On 4 March 2012, Putin won Presidential elections 2012 with 63.6% votes. Russian opposition accused Putin and United Russia Party for fraud in election although measures were taken in order to make elections transparent like webcams at polling stations etc. International observers from Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe also criticized voting. Anti-Putin protest raised in Russia. On his first day as president, Putin issued 14 presidential decrees also known as 'May Decrees' by the media.

These decrees were about Russian economy, housing, skilled labor training, education, relation with European Union and defense industry.
Putin won 2018 presidential elections with 76% of votes. His fourth term began on 7 May 2018, which will last till 2024.
VLADIMIR PUTIN AS PRESIDENT:

In October 2002, Moscow theater hostage Crises took place. In 2003, referendum held in Chechnya for making new constitution that declares Republic of Chechnya as part of Russia. On 7 October 2006, Anna Politkovskaya, a journalist who exposed corruption in Russian army and its conduct in Chechnya was shot in lobby of her apartment. In 2012 and 2013, Putin backed strict legislation against LGBT community. Russian Gay Propaganda Law was passed against 'homosexual propaganda'. On 14 June 2018, Putin opened the 21st FIFA world cup, which took place in Russia for first time.

• Intervention in Ukraine and Crimea:
  
  In 2014, Russian military made several intrusions in Ukraine territory. After fall of Ukraine president Viktor Yanukovych, Russian military took hold of all the strategic positions. Russia also annexed Republic of Crimea and city of Sevastopol. After referendum, Crimean voted to join Russian federation. In November 2014, Ukraine military reported intensive movement of Russian troops and equipment. International Community alleged Russia to break international law and violating Ukraine sovereignty. Many economic sanctions were imposed on Russia. In October 2015, The Washington Post stated that elite units have been deployed in Syria from Ukraine to support President Bashar-al-Assad.
• Intervention in Syria:
  
  On 30 September 2015, Putin authorized Russian military to intervene in Syrian Civil War. It was requested by Syrian government to provide support against jihadist groups. The Russian military conducted air strikes, cruise missile attacks against militant groups that are against Syrian government, Syrian opposition, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant(ISIL), al-Nusra Front, Tahrir al-Sham, Ahrar al-Sham and the Army of Conquest. On 14 March 2016, Putin announced that large part is accomplished and ordered withdrawal of main part of Russian forces from Syria and. Russian forces deployed in Syria continued supporting Syrian government.
• Interference in US election:
  
  In January 2007, US intelligence agency expressed high confidence in Putin ordering 'influence campaign' that deteriorated Hillary Clinton chances to become president of USA and later developing 'clear preference' for Donald Trump.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2020:

A referendum took place in whole Russia regarding some constitutional amendments that will increase Putin's office as President till 2036. Majority of votes were for the referendum.

DOMESTIC POLICY:

Putin's domestic policy aimed to form vertical power structure. It was confirmed that Putin do not want political system in Russia to be like USA or UK but rather as system that was closer to Russia's own traditions. In July 2000, Putin got the power to dismiss the head of 89 federal subjects. In 2004, Putin got the right to nominate head (governors). Putin was also against Yeltsin-era oligarchs and Russian oppositions, which resulted into imprisonment of people such as, Boris Berezovsky, Vladimir Gusinsky and Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Putin succeeded in codifying land law and tax law. Putin also issued reforms on state security with Russian police reform and Russian military reform.
ECONOMIC POLICY:

Under the Putin administration from 2001-2007, the growth of Russian economy was about 7% that made it 7th largest economy by purchasing power. By 2008, Russia GDP by purchasing power increased by 72%. During Putin's presidency, growth in the field of production, construction, real income, credit and middle class took place. Inflation remained problem however. A fund for oil revenue allowed Russia to pay back Soviet Union's debt by 2005. On 22 August 2012, Russia joined World Trade Organization. Individual from Intelligence agencies were placed at key position to control economy in better way. Russia diversified it's export by Trans-Siberian oil pipeline to support oil to China, Japan and Korea, as well as Sakhalin-Khabarovsk-Vladivostok gas pipeline. Many dams are constructed including Bureya Dam, Boguchany Dam. Funds are also located for smooth development in nuclear energy sector. Plan for constructing floating nuclear power plan is intended.
MILITARY POLICY:

From 2000s, more money was spending in military and defense industry but from 2008, after Russia military reform, modernization of army and it's equipment started to make it more effective. A large program to deliver hi-tech equipment, ship to Russian defense forces began. On 1 December 2011, Russian Space Force was replaced by Russian Aerospace Defense Forces. After George W Bush called USA to exit from 1972 Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty, Putin called for development in nuclear technology of Russia. Under Putin, territorial expansion in Arctic circle also took place with increase in military presence there.
FOREIGN POLICY:

President Vladimir Putin consider strategic partnership between India and Russia as important. Putin keeps positive relation between BRICS nations. Russia also looks for strengthening relations with People's Republic of China by signing Treaty of Friendship and construction Trans-Siberian oil pipeline and Trans-Siberian gas pipeline for China to meet it's energy requirements. Russia Ukraine dispute affected many European countries. The plans of Georgia and Ukraine to join NATO also increased tension with Russia. On 18 November 2011, President of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia signed agreement to form Eurasian Union by 2015. After 9/11 attack Russia supported USA in the War of Terror. From 2003, Putin did not supported Iraq War. Relation got tensed even more when Putin provide asylum to Edward Snowden, who leaked classified information of NSA.

After annexation of Crimea, Russia was removed form G8. In 2003, Russia- Britain relationship deteriorated after Britain gave asylum to Oligarch Boris Berezovsky. Russia also alleged Britain for making secret payment to pro democracy and human rights groups. In 2007, Putin visited Iran to attend Second Caspian summit at Tehran after which Iran-Russia relation got better.

Putin supported countries working peacefully on nuclear program. On the other hand, under Mendvedev's presidency Russia denied to provide S-300 missile launch system to Iran. Russian authorities also completed construction of Iran's first civilian nuclear facility, the Bushehr nuclear power plant. President Putin has been attending BRICS summit.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY:

In 2004, Putin signed signed the Kyoto Protocol, which looks for reducing greenhouse gases. Putin personally supervised many projects for rare and endangered animals in Russia like Amur Tiger, the White Whale, the Polar Bear, the Snow Leopard. Putin is chairman of Russian Geographical Society's board of trustees and actively takes part in protecting rare species.
RELIGEOUS POLICY:

Buddhism, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Islam and Judaism are Russia's traditional culture. In Putin's era construction of Churches took place. Parents are given choices of education of one of the traditional religion that their children will learn. His policies are considered as giving religious freedom but getting all the religions under common umbrella of state authority. Putin always visit Orthodox churches, especially on holidays.
APPROVAL RATING:

In June 2007, Putin's approval rating was 81%.In January 2013, approval rating of Putin fell to 62%. In May 2014, Putin's approval rating was six year high, which is 85.9%. According to Levada centre survey, Putin's approval rating was 87%. In June 2015, Putin's approval rating was all time high of 89%. In 2016, Putin approval rating was 81%.
PERSONAL LIFE:

Putin has image of sporty and tough person. Putin also get involved himself in some dangerous activities and also show off his power. He is very conscious about his height. Putin fly military jets, practice martial arts, riding horses, rafting and fishing. He drove sports car. He also has experience of shooting darts at whales using cross bow, scuba diving and catching large fish.

On 28 July 1983, Putin married to Lyudmila Shkrebneva and lived in East Germany from 1985 to 1990. They have two daughters, Mariya Putina and Yekaterina Putina. On 6 June 2013, Putin and Shkrebneva announced that their marriage is over. Putin has two grandsons. His cousin, Igor Putin, is director of Moscow based Master Bank and accused of many money laundering scandals.
WEALTH:

In official data released during legislative wlections of 2007, it was reported that Putin has income of 1,50,000 USD and 833 sq ft apartment in Saint Petersburg. Putin has been photographed with expensive watches of around 7,00,000USD. He also been give these watches as gifts to peasants and factory workers. Anders Aslund estimated his income of 100-160 billion USD. Stanislav Belkovsky estimated his income of 40 billion USD. CIA estimated his income of 40 billion USD.

As President and Prime Minister of Russia, Putin lived in numerous official residences throughout the country. In August 2012, critics say that President Putin listed the ownership of 20 villas and palaces out of them 9 are build in Putin's 12 year in power. A massive Italian style mansion worth 1 Billion USD is under construction near the Black Sea village of Prakoveevka.
RELIGION:

Vladimir Putin is Russian Orthodox. Putin's mother followed Christianity. His father was an atheist. There were no icons symbolizing god at his home but his mother used to go and attend churches regularly. His belief in god became more firm after life threatening accident he faced in 1996. When his dacha picked up fire, he did what his mom told to him and wore cross in his neck during outbreak of fire.
SPORTS:

Putin is always seen promoting sports including Badminton, skiing, cycling and healthy lifestyle. Putin likes to watch football and he is a supporter of FC Saint Petersburg. He also has interest in Ice Hockey and Bandy.
HONOURS AND AWARDS:

• He has been presented by civilian awards by many countries including Vietnam, Kazakhstan, France, Tajikistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Venezuela, Serbian orthodox church, Monaco Cuba, Serbia, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, China.
• He has been awarded with honorary doctorates from Yerevan State University, Athens University, University of Belgrade.
• He has been awarded with Confucius Peace Prize.
• He has been awarded with Angel of Peace Medal.
  
• In 2007, he has been person of the year by TIME.
• In December 2007, he has been awarded with person of the year by Expert.
• The central street of Grozny was renamed to Vladimir Putin Avenue.
• The parliament of Kyrgyzstan named a peak in Tian Shan mountains as Vladimir Putin Peak. 

FAVORITE:

• FAVORITE FOOD: There is food tester before Putin eats anything because of his safety reasons. He is not open about his food habits but it is believed that he loves Pistachio Ice cream to eat even after living in freezing temperatures of Russia.
• FAVORITE MUSIC: Putin reveals that as Russian he loves Russian music to listen.
• FAVORITE MOVIE: In 2014, Putin said his favorite movie is "Chapaev"(1934).

TWITTER ACCOUNT:

@KremlinRussia_E with 826.3K followers with 22 following including the white house, Barack Obama, Stephen Harper and BRICS 2015.

All photographs are taken from Googl.co.in or pixabay.

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Shinzo Abe: The God Gift for JAPAN!!

Shinzo Abe is currently serving as prime minister of Japan. He is the longest serving Prime Minister of Japan in Japanese history. He is also first prime minister, who born after world war-2. His administration resulted japan to become world's most advanced nation even after lack of natural resources in Japan. He has been popularly known for his 'Abenomics'. Let us get into his life and career growth to know more about him.
EARLY LIFE:

Shinzo Abe was born on 21 September 1954 in Tokyo, Japan in a political family. His family is originally from Yamaguchi prefecture. Abe's registered residence is in Nagato, Yamaguchi. His great-great-grandfather Viscount Yoshimasa Oshima served as general in imperial Japanese army. His maternal grandfather Nobusuke Kishi was de facto "economic" leader  of China, Korea and Manchukuo and served position of Prime Minister from1957-1960. His paternal grandfather Kan Abe served in House of Representatives from 1937 to 1946. His father Shintaro Abe was leading member of LDP and served as foreign minister from 1982-1986. His mother's name is Yoko Kishi.

When GHQ's policy changed and became more anti-communist, Nobusuke Kishi, released from Sugamo Prison. After getting out of prison, he established Japan Democratic Party. In 1955, Shigeru Yoshida's Liberal Party and Kishi's Japan Democratic Party merged with each other and formed Liberal Democratic Party.
EDUCATION:

Shinzo Abe studied at Seikei Elementary School, Seikei Junior High School and Seikei Senior High School. He studied Public Administration. In 1977, he completed his bachelors in Political Science from Seikei University. Later he moved to United States, where he studied Public Policy at the University of South California's School of Public Policy for three semester. In April 1979, Shinzo Abe started working at Kobe Steel till 1982.
STARTING OF POLITICAL CAREER:

He pursued working in government offices as executive assistant of Minister of Foreign Affairs then private secretary to chairperson of LDP General council then private secretary to LDP secretary-general. In 1993, he was elected to the first district of Yamaguchi prefecture after his father's death in 1991. In 1999, he became the director of the Social Affairs Division. He was deputy chief cabinet secretary in the Yoshiro Mori and Junichiro Koizumi's cabinet from 2000-2003. Then he served as Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party.

Shinzo Abe was chief negotiator for the Japanese government on behalf of families of Japanese abductees taken to North Korea.
Shinzo Abe was the leader of project team to conduct survey on "excessive sexual education and gender free education". The survey raised objection on use of anatomical dolls and other curricular material without taking into consideration age of students. Objection on school policies banning traditional boy's and girl's festival and mixed gender physical education.
On 23 April 2006, Shinzo Abe was appointed as president of Liberal Democratic Party.
FIRST TERM AS PRIME MINISTER:

On 14 July 2006, Shinzo Abe was elected as Prime Minister of Japan. He was elected at the age of 52 and the youngest Prime Minister since Fumimaro Konoe in 1941.
SUDDEN RESIGNATION:

After Shinzo Abe became the Prime Minister of Japan, Liberal Democratic Party suffered great loss in Upper House for the first time in 52 years. His cabinet's agriculture minister Norihiko Akagi, who was involved in party funding scandal also resigned. Moreover, Shinzo Abe's popularity degraded due to his rejection to possible female monarchs. On 27 August 2007, Shinzo Abe announced new cabinet in order to revive his administration but after few days, his new agriculture minister Takehiko Endo resigned because of his involvement in finance scandal. On 12 September 2007, Shinzo Abe showed his intentions to resign and on 24 September 2007, Shinzo Abe resigned and Yasuo Fukudo became the new prime minister of Japan.

Party officials always give Shinzo Abe's health problem behind his resignation. Shinzo Abe confirmed that he was having ulcerative colitis, because of which he resigned. He remained in the diet after resignation and reelected from Yamaguchi 4th district in 2009 elections, when LDP lost power to Democratic Party of Japan.
SECOND TERM AS PRIME MINISTER:

On 26 September 2012, Shinzo Abe again became the leader of LDP. At that point of time, DJP had lost it's majority in lower house due to party splits over nuclear policies and cabinet's decision to increase consumption taxes from 5 to 10 percent. Prime minister Yoshihiko Noda need support of LDP to pass consumption tax bill in response of which, Abe and other opposition parties to hold snap election. Yoshihiko agreed over condition on LDP to pass bond financing bills, support commission to reform the social security system address electoral malapportionment in the next diet session.

On 16 November 2012, Noda announced about dissolution of lower house and general election held on 16 December 2012. Shinzo Abe campaigned with slogan "Nippon o Torimodosu" which means take back japan. He promised for economy revival, higher public spending, continued use of nuclear energy and hard stance on border issues.
In the elections, LDP in coalition with new Komeito party was able to secure two third seats in lower house. On 26 December 2012, Shinzo Abe was formally elected as prime minister in Diet.
THIRD TERM AS PRIME MINISTER:
On 24 December 2014, Shinzo Abe was reelected for the position of prime minister by House of Representatives.
FOURTH TERM AS PRIME MINISTER:

The 2017 general election were to be held on 22 October but Abe called the Snap election on 25 September, while North Korea crises was prominent in media. He was again reelected as prime minister of Japan in 2017.
ECONOMIC POLICY(ABENOMICS):

He took steps towards balancing Japanese budget. He appointed tax policy expert Koji Omi as Minister of Finance. In the second cabinet, he worked for the revival of Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy(CEFP). His economic policy also known as Abenomics consist of three arrows.

• FIRST ARROW: First arrow in economy policy of Shinzo Abe was monetary expansion to achieve 2% inflation target.
• SECOND ARROW:
  
  The first budget of Abe's cabinet included 10.3 trillion yen stimulus package for public work spending, aid for small businesses and investment incentives. It aimed to increase the growth by 2%. Expenditure on defense and manpower increased while foreign spending decreased. In the later half of 2013, Abe decided to proceed with first stage of increasing consumption tax from 5% to 8%  in April 2014.
  
  Abe announced 5 trillion yen as stimulus package for economy revival as backup plan for any negative effect of the decision taken. Japan fell into recession in second and third quarter of 2014. Abe delayed the second stage of increasing consumption taxes to April 2017, that was scheduled to take place in October 2015.
• THIRD ARROW:
  
  The third arrow in economic policy in Abenomics was to achieve growth with structural reforms and to achieve long term growth by private sector investment. On 15 March 2013, Abe announced Japan will be entering negotiations to join Tran-Pacific partnership. It was to liberalize some sectors of economy. There were plans to establish deregulated economic zones and allow sale of drugs online. There were no reforms for labor laws or business reform. There were corporate governance reforms, easing on restrictions on hiring foreign staff in special economic zones.
  
  There were measures to help local and foreign entrepreneurs. Health sector was also liberalized. Corporate taxes were also cut to below 30%, an expansion in childcare system to encourage women to join workforce. In December 2015, Government announced that corporation taxes will be reduced to 29.97% in 2016. Shinzo Abe also set a target for 30% women at leadership positions till 2020.
  
  Private and public organizations are also asked to publish data on number of women they employ. In November 2013, Abe cabinet passed a bill to liberalize Japan's electricity market by abolishing price control, breaking up regional monopolies, creating a national grid company.

Abe also came up with 'Abenomics 2.0', which has new three arrows to boost Japanese economy.

The aim was to tackle low fertility rates and an aging population and to increase the average number of children per woman from 1.4 to 1.8 and stabilize population at 100 million, to boost the GDP to 600 trillion yen by 2021, and to create situation where people do not have to leave employment in order to give care to elderly relatives. Abe also looked for opening more wider Asia-Pacific free trade deal and hailed an agreement for creation of "unprecedent economic zones". Japanese economy was believed to enter second recession after application of 'Abenomics' but in third quarter GDP increased by 1%.

EDUCATION POLICY:

Abe supported controversial Japanese society for history textbook reform. Abe's return was seen as renewed attempt to downplay Japan's wartime atrocities in school textbooks. In 2013, Abe supported Super Global Universities program, which was 10 year long program to increase international student's attendance in Japanese universities and hire more foreign faculty.

FOREIGN POLICY:

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was active with respect to foreign affairs. He made 49 international visits from December 2012 to September 2014. It can be seen as step to strengthen bilateral ties in the region in response to bad relations with China and North Korea. Opening avenues for trade, energy and defense internationally can be seen as part of Abenomics.

He gave importance to South east Asian nations, Australia and India. In September 2013, Abe intervened to aid Tokyo's bid to host 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics games: by giving speech in English at IOC session in Buenos Aires.

In 2014, Abe conducted the Japan-Australia Economic partnership agreement with Abbott government. In 2014, Abe and British prime minister David Cameron to establish "2+2 framework" of annual consultation between British and Japanese defense and foreign ministries. In Jan 2015, Abe announced that Japan would provide 200 million dollars  in non military assistance to countries fighting against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant as a part of 2.5 billion dollar aid package.

In April 2015, he became the first Japanese prime minister to address a joint-sitting of US congress. He has stated Japan US alliance as "Alliance of hope". In Seoul in November 2015, Abe attended the first China-Japan-South Korea trilateral summit. In third term, relations with South Korea improved. After Donald Trump's election both leader had meeting at Mar-a-Lago to discuss security threats against North Korea. Abe welcomed North Korea-United Stated Summit

• NORTH KOREA: Shinzo Abe has hard stance regarding North Korea, especially over North Korean abduction of Japanese citizens.
• CHINA,SOUTH EAST ASIA, TAIWAN: 
  
  Shinzo Abe has publicly stated that there is a need in improvement of China-Japan relations and it should not continue to be based upon emotions. Relations with China continuously degraded due to Senkaku Island Dispute and Abe's visit to Yasukuni Shrine. Shinzo Abe is respected politician among Taiwan and a part of Pan Green coalition seeking Taiwanese independence. His great uncle Eisaku Sato was the last prime minister to visit Taiwan while in office. Abe has expressed his thoughts to strengthen political, security and economic relations between south east Asian countries.
• INDIA:
  
  Abe see India-Japan relationship as very important and continuously worked to strengthen the ties between both countries. In 2007, Abe initiated Quadrilateral Security Dialogue between USA, Japan, Australia and India. In January 2014, Abe was invited as chief guest for Republic Day parade in Delhi. During the visit Abe and Manmohan Singh(then prim minister of India) agreed to increase cooperation over economic, defense and security issues.
  
  They signed trade agreements related to energy, tourism and telecom. Ties between both nation got more strength after election of Narendra Modi as India's prime minister. Narendra Modi is one in the Abe's Twitter's following list and both leaders exchange congratulatory messages after winning elections.
  
  On his first major visit to japan in 2014, both leaders discussed agreements over nuclear energy, rare earth elements and joint maritime exercises. In December 2015, Abe and Narendra Modi signed deals in which India agreed to buy Shinkansen technology from Japan and japan to be raised to full partner status in the Malabar naval exercises. They also agreed that Japan would sell non military nuclear technology to India.

DEFENSE AND SECURITY: 

Abe sought to expand the interpretation of Article 9 of the Japanese constitution to maintain de jury military forces. During his first term he raised Japan defense agency to full ministry status. He always supported alliance with USA. Abe attempted to centralize security policy in prime minister's office by creating the Japanese National Security Council. In December 2013, Abe announced five year plan of military expansion.

In the same month the diet passed State Secrecy Law.  Abe's cabinet introduced 11 bills making up the "Peace and Security Preservation Legislation" which would expand military power for foreign conflicts. In December 2015, Abe government announced formation of new intelligence unit, International Counterterrorism Intelligence Collection Unit.

PERSONAL LIFE:

Shinzo Abe married to Aki Matsuzaki. She is a socialite and former radio disk jockey, in 1987. She is the daughter of the president of Morinaga, a chocolate manufacturer. She is also known for her contradicting statements over Shinzo Abe. She is popularly known as "domestic opposition party". They do not have any child, even after undergoing several unsuccessful fertility treatments.

Shinzo Abe's elder brother, Hironobu Abe became president and CEO of Mitsubishi Shoji Packaging Corporation. His younger brother, Nobuo Kishi became Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs. In addition to his native language i.e. Japanese, Abe also speaks English.
AWARDS AND INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION:

1. He has been awarded with honors by many countries like Saudi Arabia, Greece, Bahrain, Ivory Coast, Netherlands, Philippines, Spain, Luxemberg.
   
2. He has achieved honory doctorates from Rangsit University(Thailand), Jawaharlal Nehru University(India), Turkmen State University(Turkmenistan).
3. He has been awarded with Herman Kahn Award.
4. He has been awarded with Asian of the year award.
   
5. He bagged position in Time 100 in 2014, 2018.
6. He has been awarded with Boston Global Forum's World Leader in Cybersecurity Award.

FAVORITES OF SHINZO ABE:

• FAVORITE FOOD:
  
  The Japanese PM eats a lot of healthy miso, rice and natto (fermented soybeans, pictured) but also admits to hankering after the foods of his youth, mainly ice cream, Korean barbecue and ramen.

WIERD AND UNKNOWN NEWS ABOUT SHINZO ABE:

• SERVED DINNER IN SHOES DURING LUNCH WITH ISRAELI PM BENJAMIN NETANYAHU.