Over 200 Indians have caught the Modi Express - a 12-hour train journey from Melbourne to Sydney to hear Indian prime minister Narendra Modi speak.

Mr Modi, the tea vendor from north-western India who has risen to the highest office in the world's largest democracy, has a charisma that Rakesh Raizada said had been missing from modern day India - until now.

The response from Indians across the world has been profound.

Mr Raizada and his wife Monica were among the 220 Indians to catch the Modi Express to attend a public address by Mr Modi, the first visit by an Indian prime minister since Rajiv Gandhi in 1986.

Such genuine excitement to make a pilgrimage to hear a political leader speak would seem quite rare in Australia, but not for these Modi followers.

"After a long, long time, such a phenomenon, such an excitement, such a wave has come, which is unparalleled," Mr Raizada said.

Monica and Rakesh Raizada (centre), wait to board the Modi Express. ( ABC: Cameron Best )

Disillusioned with a succession of Indian governments, Mr Raizada moved to Kenya to be a managing director of a major bank before settling in Australia to raise his family with his wife, Monica.

In Australia, he found a life where hard work was recognised, often over social connections.

It was a life he could not find in his homeland with its class system.

But he said change was happening on the back of Mr Modi's election and a carefully managed media image.

"This is a new revolution, you can call it," he said.

"Modi became the name instead of the party, and he carried on his own shoulders this election which gave India a fully majority government after 34 years."

President of the Indian Tamil organisation Tamilar, Ganesh Jaygan, said he fully supported the Hindu prime minister.

"No leader since Mahatma Gandhi has captured the imagination of the nation and the international polity as Narendra Modi has done," he said.

"It is indeed a great opportunity that he has come to Australia only a couple of months into his prime ministership."

Four carriages of the Melbourne-Sydney train were festooned with the colours of the Indian flag, while mango leaves were hung over doorways - an important Hindu ritual.

Ashwin Mangalore (left), Amith Karanth (centre) and Pradeep M.L. with the food served on the Modi Express. ( ABC: Cameron Best )

Dancing, singing, and the constant chant of "Modi, Modi, Modi" echoed into the night, while traditional vegetarian dishes from Mr Modi's home state of Gujarat were served to appreciative passengers.

Many of these Indians who now call Australia home did not know each other before getting on board the train, but easily forged friendships under a common bond.

The idea of the Modi Express was born just weeks ago when Melbourne-based supporters of Mr Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) decided to make the trip to Sydney for the prime ministerial address.

Organiser Ashwin Bora said the response had been overwhelming.

"To be honest with you, we were expecting a basic journey from point A to point B but what has turned out is basically a full-on party – people are really enthusiastic to hear from their prime minister in this country after 28 long years," he said.

"I have lived 11 years here (in Australia) and I have not seen anything like this."

For many Indians, Rakesh Raizada included, Narendra Modi represents a glimmer of hope for a country brought to its knees by corruption.

"We have put all of our faith in Modi to remove corruption, to clean India, to bring India back to its glory," Mr Raizada said.