Replied by Max Sharma thru Quora
Let me try to attempt to answer it. For context, below is the link which explains IAF claim of SU 30 MKI tracking J-20 over Tibet.
When people say J-20 is a stealth fighter, the thing to note is that stealth is not absolute. There are degrees of stealth e.g. modern Rafale is stealthier than Mirage 2000, F-35 is many times more stealthy than Su-57. Over the year Radar technology has been improved substantially to counter stealth. Stealth is not only result of shape but also varies with reduction in IR signature, angle of radar scan and many other factors which we are not going to discuss here. There is also much less information available about J-20 in public domain and most information remains classified,
Su 30 MKI has very powerful forward-facing NIIP N011M Bars PESA radar with 400 km search and 200 km in tracking range. It is so powerful that it can work as mini AWACs as well. Coming to specific question asked, J-20 tracking by Su-30 MKI is certainly possible even if J-20 is deployed in Lhasa (which is not a forward base). PLAAF may have conducted high altitude testing here.Image below shows that airspace around Lhasa is within 120-150 km as the crow flies and can tracked by IAF SU-30 MKIs flying over Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh as J20 may have come under range.
It is also possible that J-20 was flying with radar reflectors as it was peace time and helps ground crew track and locate if there is any accident etc. However, radar reflectors will also show up on the radar as extension of aircraft radar signature.
Meanwhile Chinese are buying more SU 35 form Russia despite having J20 in their air force.
EDIT 2: those who are more technically oriented. Below is one video (in Hindi) on stealth features and issues to be addressed.
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