Gov. Andrew Cuomo made an unexpected trip overseas Saturday with a delegation of other governors.

Cuomo and the group met with high-ranking security officials for a briefing in Afghanistan Sunday. 

Later, the governor met a group of New York soldiers. About 270 members of the New York National Guard are deployed in Afghanistan, the majority of whom are based in the Hudson Valley and New York City.

During a conference call with reporters, the governor said he went to Afghanistan to explore anti-terrorism strategies in response to the escalating threat of Islamic State extremists.

The surprise trip caused speculation that the governor is trying to boost his credentials for a presidential run or bolster his bid for re-election to a second term, claims that he denied.

"I'm doing my job as governor of New York," he said. "That's the only reason to be here. I think it will help me do my job and be a better governor."