Shinde
Shinde asked Saiswaroopa Iyer:

Traditionally Garudas & Nagas are considered enemies. Was their portrayal as allies (and more) a deliberate shift away from this mindset? Secondly, considering Krishna's role in Khandav dahan vs his winged mount , do you think he was truly impartial to both?

Saiswaroopa Iyer The Naga Garuda Rivalry is traditional. But their unity too is. Lord Vishnu is equally close to Adi Sesha and Suparna Garuda both. So it is safe to assume that the grand old tribe founders have put aside their differences to serve their Lord.
By the times of Mahabharata, I felt that this traditional rivalry might not be strong, the Nagas themselves being diverse and spread out tribe. Krishna's paternal grandmother was a Naga Princess called Marishaa who was the daughter of Aryaka. So he was indeed related to both sides.

I believe in Krishna's impartiality more because his worldview (or universal view) and not just because of his balancing the alliances. There are times he might look like sacrificing one side for the other which we, by our standards might not find it acceptable. But thing is he does not seek acceptability and will do what he feels will uphold Dharma, (I think Dharma is the balance that keeps the world going).

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