Shinde told reporters here that he wanted to review security measures on the country's eastern flank, particularly riverine areas.
The visit was in keeping with his commitment made when he assumed charge about two months ago, he said, adding he also wanted to visit border outposts (BOPs), some of which had been damaged by erosion, besides interacting with the BSF personnel posted there.
Shinde, who is on a day-long visit to Assam, reached the Panbari border camp of BSF in a helicopter. He had arrived in Guwahati from Delhi in the morning, official sources said.
He travelled by a special BSF boat from BSF Bay in Dhubri town to Shishumara, Mohamayachar and Udligaon in Dhubri area and Sahapara BOPs in Mancachar area and Indo-Bangladesh border to take stock of the situation.
Senior officials of the home ministry and Border Security Force accompanied him.
Shinde is also scheduled to review the internal security situation with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and senior Assam government officials, the sources added.