Sugriva was already befriended by Rama who did not want to say ‘No’ to Vibhishana. Rama says to Sugriva, “You are the chief of the monkey legions and Vibhishana is going to be the king after Ravana. Maathali told that he would request Indira to give him nectar so that Sumukha will have a longer life. When approached by Maathali, he was told by Indira to see Lord Narayana. Finally Lord Narayana convinced Garuda and even asked him to take care of Sumukha who would have been a prey otherwise.

Source: The Hindu June 12, 2023 07:09 UTC