Malaysian palm oil futures closed higher on Friday, recovering from earlier losses, as gains in rival oils and a slightly weaker ringgit offset ongoing concerns over buying from India. The benchmark palm oil contract for January delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange ended 1.2% higher at 2,285 ringgit ($546.00).

Dalian's January soyaoil contract and the US soyaoil futures on the Chicago Board of Trade rose 0.2% and 0.1%, respectively, while Dalian's January palm oil contract last fell 0.2%. Palm oil is affected by price movements in related oils as they compete for a share in the global vegetable oils market. It fell as much as 0.5% earlier in the session, also in line with movement on the Dalian Commodities Exchange.

Palm oil prices had been affected by "ongoing tension between India and Malaysia as Indian buyers favour Indonesian offers for any fresh positions," said Anilkumar Bagani, research head of Sunvin Group, a Mumbai-based vegetable oil broker, although a weaker ringgit was limiting losses. The ringgit fell 0.2% against the dollar on Friday.

Malaysia said this week it will work diplomatically with India if it decides to restrict imports of Malaysian palm oil after Kuala Lumpur criticised India's actions in Kashmir. Palm oil may retrace into a range of 2,193-2,216 ringgit per tonne, as it failed to break a resistance at 2,266 ringgit, said Reuters analyst, Wang Tao.