A diverse group of Indian business leaders met on Saturday to discuss class, race, integration and giving back to Singapore.

They were taking part in an Our Singapore Conversation session organised by the Singapore Indian Development Association, or Sinda.

The group of about 50 comprised both fourth-generation Indian Singaporeans and newer arrivals, their spouses, facilitators and Sinda volunteers.

Among the topics discussed were the use of public housing, local schools and National Service to integrate newcomers, and how, with many newer expatriate Indians here well-heeled professionals, to help them give back to the community, including foreign workers.

Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Senior Minister of State for Law and Education Indranee Rajah were also present.

"The best way to belong is to contribute," Dr Balakrishnan said.

Many roundtable members want to contribute, but may not know where their skills and resources are best used, said Mr Raja Segar, Sinda CEO. The dialogue and roundtable guide them to do that, he said.